Oil Monitoring System

ABSTRACT

A monitoring system is configured to detect a threshold amount of petroleum in a storm water-based fluid of an oil handling facility. For instance, the storm water-based fluid can be drained from a floating roof of a petroleum storage tank, a diked area, or a retention pond.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/412,067 filed on Oct. 24, 2016, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in itsentirety herein.

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/235,135 filed on Sep. 30, 2015, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/174,423 filed on Jun. 11, 2015, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/151,194 filed on Apr. 22, 2015, U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/135,897 filed on Apr. 22,2016, and P.C.T. Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/028812, thedisclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, oil handling facilities 10, such as petroleumstorage facilities 12, petroleum processing facilities 14 such as oilrefineries 15, and oil mining facilities 19 such as oil wells 17, andthe like, are typically disposed in containment areas 16 that aredesigned to contain liquids that become contaminated with hydrocarbons.For instance, oil handling facilities can be susceptible to storm water,either in the form of run off or accumulation on the storage tanks. Thestorm water that runs off from oil handling facilities can becomecontaminated with hydrocarbons. The containment areas 16 are designed tocontain the storm water run off, thereby preventing the possibility ofcontaminants in the run off from entering the ambient environmentoutside the containment area 16. Alternatively or additionally, oilhandling facilities 10 can also include run off retention ponds that areconfigured to receive and store storm water run off.

Further, petroleum storage tanks are available with floating roofs thatrest atop the petroleum stored in the tank, and thus rises and fallswith increasing and decreasing levels of petroleum. Floating roofs areconventionally employed as a way to safely store the contained petroleumwith minimal escape of petroleum vapors into the environment. Thefloating roof is sealed with respect to the outer tank wall, such thatas the volume of stored petroleum changes, the floating roof slidesalong the side wall of the tank without allowing leakage at theinterface of the floating roof and the side wall of the tank. It isrecognized that the floating roof and the portion of the side wall ofthe tank that resides above the floating roof can cooperate to define abasin that collects storm water. If the collected storm water is allowedto remain, the volume of storm water can collect in an amount sufficientto compromise the structural integrity of the roof.

Whether it is desired to discharge the storm water that is present inthe form of run off in a retention pond, or present in the form of stormwater collected by the roofs of petroleum storage tanks, it is desirableto discharge the storm water to a remote location outside the oilhandling facility, where it can enter the environment outside thecontainment area 16. However, it is desirable to ensure thatenvironmentally harmful oil has not contaminated the storm water priorto discharging the storm water into the environment.

SUMMARY

The following Summary is provided to introduce a selection of conceptsin a simplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the invention, nor is it intended to be used tolimit the scope of the invention. Reference is made to the claims forthat purpose.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid flow separation chamberis configured to cause petroleum in a fluid to rise to an upper surfaceof the fluid. The fluid flow separation chamber comprises a chamberbody, an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of baffles, and aflow-restricting wall. The chamber body has a base, and an outer wallthat extends up from the base. The inlet that extends through the body,and the fluid flow separation chamber is configured to receive the fluidthrough the inlet. The outlet extends through the body at a locationdownstream of the inlet with respect to a direction of fluid flowthrough the fluid flow separation chamber, and the fluid flow separationchamber is configured to expel the fluid through the outlet. Theplurality of baffles that extend up from the base, such that adjacentones of the baffles define respective fluid flow channels that define afluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The flow-restrictingwall extends into one of the fluid flow channels so as to obstruct afirst portion of the fluid flow through the one of the fluid flowchannels, while permitting a second portion of the fluid flow to passthrough the one of the fluid flow channels to the outlet.

In another aspect, a method is provided for monitoring a presence ofhydrocarbons among group of hydrocarbons in a fluid discharged from alocation of an oil handling facility, the group of hydrocarbonsincluding, but not necessarily limited to, diesel/fuel oil, lube oil,motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil, and crude oil. Themethod can include a step of receiving a fluid from the location of theoil handling facility in a fluid flow separation chamber. The method caninclude a step of causing the fluid to flow from an inlet of the fluidflow separation chamber to an outlet of the fluid flow separationchamber through one or more fluid flow channels of the fluid flowseparation chamber such that a flow-restricting wall that extends intoone of the fluid flow channels obstructs a first portion of the fluidflow through the one of the fluid flow channels, while permitting asecond portion of the fluid flow to pass through the one of the fluidflow channels to the outlet. The method can include a step of sensingthe fluid proximate to the outlet of the fluid flow separation chamberfor the presence of the hydrocarbons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, isbetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.There is shown in the drawings example embodiments, in which likereference numerals correspond to like reference numerals throughout. Thepresent invention is not intended to be limited to the specificembodiments and methods disclosed, and reference is made to the claimsfor that purpose.

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a conventional petroleumstorage facility;

FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of a conventional petroleumprocessing facility;

FIG. 1C is a schematic perspective view of a conventional oil miningfacility;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a monitored petroleum storage assemblyincluding a petroleum storage tank and a monitoring system;

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of the monitored petroleum storageassembly illustrated in FIG. 2, showing an interior of the petroleumstorage tank having a floating roof at a first elevation;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the monitored petroleum storageassembly illustrated in FIG. 3A, but showing the floating roof at asecond elevation different than the first elevation;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the monitoring system illustrated inFIG. 2, shown constructed in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow separationchamber of the monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 4, constructed inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the fluid flow separation chamberillustrated in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a fluid flow separation chamber similarto the fluid flow separation chamber illustrated in FIG. 5A, butincluding an absorbent member in accordance with an alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a fluid flow separation chamber similarto the fluid flow separation chamber illustrated in FIG. 6A, butincluding an absorbent member in accordance with another alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating communications operations ofthe monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8A is a schematic side elevation view of a monitoring systemconstructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a schematic side elevation view of a fluid flow separationchamber constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of a monitoring systemconstructed in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevation view of a monitoring systemconstructed in accordance with still another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11A is a schematic perspective view of a petroleum storage facilityincluding a containment area and a run off retention pond, showing themonitoring system operatively coupled to the containment area;

FIG. 11B is a schematic perspective view of an oil processing facilityincluding a containment area and the monitoring system operativelycoupled to the containment area;

FIG. 11C is a schematic perspective view of an oil mining facilityincluding a containment area and the monitoring system operativelycoupled to the containment area;

FIG. 12A is a schematic side elevation view of a retention pond, showingthe monitoring system operatively coupled to the retention pond inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a schematic side elevation view of the retention pondillustrated in FIG. 12A, but showing the monitoring system operativelycoupled to the retention pond in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 13A is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow separationchamber of the monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 4, constructed inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a top plan view of the fluid flow separation chamberillustrated in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow separationchamber of the monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 4, constructed inaccordance with yet another embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the fluid flow separation chamberillustrated in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow separationchamber of the monitoring system illustrated in FIG. 4, constructed inaccordance with yet still another embodiment; and

FIG. 15B is a top plan view of the fluid flow separation chamberillustrated in FIG. 15A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a monitoring system 20 is configured to detectthe presence of a selected group of hydrocarbons in a fluid 22 to bedischarged from a location of an oil handling facility. The selectedgroup of hydrocarbons can include, but is not necessarily limited to,diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineraloil, and crude oil. Thus, reference herein to hydrocarbons refers to theselected group of hydrocarbons unless otherwise indicated. The oilhandling facility can be in the form of a petroleum storage facility 23(see FIG. 11A), an oil processing facility 25 (see FIG. 11B), or an oilmining facility 33 (see FIG. 11C). Thus, the location of the oilhandling facility can be a floating roof of a petroleum storage tank, ora retention pond of an oil processing facility or oil mining facility.While the monitoring system will now be described in conjunction with apetroleum storage facility, it will be appreciated from the descriptionbelow that the monitoring system can be used in conjunction with an oilprocessing facility or an oil mining facility.

The petroleum storage facility 23 includes at least one petroleumstorage tank 26 such as a plurality of petroleum storage tanks 26 thateach has a floating roof 24. Thus, the discharged fluid 22 to bemonitored can be drained from a floating roof 24 of the and out thepetroleum storage tank 26. The petroleum storage tank 26 can bedimensioned to store any suitable volume of petroleum as desired, fromseveral hundred thousands of gallons of petroleum to several milliongallons of petroleum. The fluid 22 can be a storm water-based fluid.

The monitoring system 20 can include one or more up to all of the oilhandling facility, a fluid flow separation chamber 28, a first or aninlet conduit 30 that extends from the oil handling facility to an inlet29 (see FIGS. 5A, 13A, 14A, and 15A) of the fluid flow separationchamber 28, and a hydrocarbon sensor 34 that is configured to besupported by the fluid flow separation chamber 28. When the oil handlingfacility includes the petroleum storage tank 26, the inlet conduit 30extends from the petroleum storage tank 26 to the inlet 29, and isconfigured to deliver fluid 22 that is discharged from the petroleumstorage tank 26 to the fluid flow separation chamber 28. The monitoringsystem 20 can further include a heater 81 that is configured to deliverheat to the inlet conduit 30, thereby preventing the fluid from freezingin the inlet conduit 30 during periods of cold weather.

The monitoring system 20 can further include a second or outlet conduit32 having a first end attached to an outlet 31 (see FIGS. 5A, 13A, 14A,and 15A) of the fluid flow separation chamber 28, and a second endconfigured to deliver the fluid 22 to a location in the environment,such as the earth. The outlet conduit 32 can define an innercross-sectional area that is greater than that of the inlet conduit 30.Thus, the outlet conduit 32 can define an inner diameter that is greaterthan that of the inlet conduit 30. In one example, the outlet conduit 32can have an inner diameter of five inches or greater (such as between 5inches and 10 inches), and the inlet conduit 30 can have an innerdiameter of less than five inches (such as between 2 inches and 5inches), though it should be appreciated that the inner diameters of theinlet conduit 30 and the outlet conduit 32 can be alternativelydimensioned as desired. It should be further appreciated that the sizeof the separation chamber 28 and conduits can be scaled up or downdepending on the volume of fluid 22 that is expected to be received bythe fluid flow separation chamber 28 in a given application.

It is recognized that seals can wear, and other conditions can allowquantities of petroleum of the storage tank 26 to enter the inletconduit 30. In order to prevent the delivery of the fluid 22 to theambient environment outside the containment area when the fluid 22contains a predetermined threshold amount of petroleum, the monitoringsystem 20 can include a hydrocarbon sensor 34 that is configured todetect the threshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22 at alocation inside the fluid flow separation chamber 28. When the oilhandling facility is configured as a petroleum storage facility, thehydrocarbons can, for instance, be present in petroleum that has enteredthe fluid 22 from the storage tank 26. In this regard, the hydrocarbonsensor 34 can be referred to as a petroleum sensor, and the monitoringsystem 20 can be referred to as a petroleum monitoring system. As willbe described in more detail below, the fluid flow separation chamber 28is configured to cause hydrocarbons present in the fluid 22 to rise tothe upper surface of the fluid 22 to create a sheen, such that it can bereliably detected by the hydrocarbon sensor 34. For example, the fluidflow separation chamber 28 can be configured to disrupt the flow of thefluid 22 from the inlet 29 to the outlet 31 so as to cause hydrocarbonspresent in the fluid 22 to rise to the upper surface of the fluid 22.Thus, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can include one or morefeatures that disrupt the flow of the fluid between the inlet 29 to theoutlet 31. Further, as described in more detail below, the monitoringsystem 20 can prevent the delivery of the fluid 22 into the environmentwhen the hydrocarbon sensor 34 detects the predetermined thresholdamount of petroleum in the fluid 22. The threshold amount can be anyamount of petroleum in the fluid 22 that is greater than zero. Forinstance, the threshold amount can be any amount of petroleum thatproduces a sheen on an upper surface of the fluid 22. The hydrocarbonsensor 34 can be constructed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,688,428,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if setforth in its entirety herein. It should be appreciated, of course, thatthe hydrocarbon sensor 34 can be constructed in accordance with anyalternative embodiment as desired, suitable to detect petroleum presentin a fluid.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3B, the petroleum storage tank 26 can includea base 36, and at least one side wall 38 that extends up from the base36. The side wall 38 can define an inner surface 38 a and an outersurface 38 b opposite the inner surface. The inner surface 38 a can atleast partially define an interior 40 of the storage tank 26 that isconfigured to house a quantity of petroleum. For instance, the base 36,the side wall 38, and the floating roof 24 can cooperate so as to definethe interior 40 of the storage tank 26. The at least one side wall 38can be configured as a cylindrical wall, or can define any suitablealternative shape as desired.

The floating roof 24 defines a lower surface 24 a and an upper surface24 b opposite the lower surface 24 a. The lower surface 24 a isconfigured to face the interior 40 of the storage tank 26. As the volumeof petroleum stored in the interior 40 of the storage tank 26 increases,the floating roof 24 rises with respect to the at least one side wall38. Similarly, as the volume of petroleum stored in the interior 40 ofthe storage tank 26 decreases, the floating roof 24 falls with respectto the at least one side wall 38. For instance, the floating roof 24 canride along the inner surface 38 a of the at least one side wall 38 asthe floating roof 24 rises and falls. The floating roof 24 can be sealedagainst the inner surface 38 a of the side wall 38 so as to prevent theleakage of petroleum through the interface between the floating roof 24and the inner surface 38 a of the side wall 38, and into theenvironment. Further the sealed interface between the floating roof 24and the inner surface 38 a of the side wall 38 can prevent environmentalcontaminants from entering the interior 40 of the petroleum storage tank26. In the event that water were to enter the interior 40 of the storagetank 26, the water is typically drained through a sump in the base 36 ofthe storage tank 26, and removed from the stored petroleum.

In one example, the lower surface 24 a of the floating roof 24 isconfigured to ride along the upper surface of the petroleum stored inthe interior 40 of the storage tank 26. As a result, the floating roof24 is configured to ride along the upper surface of the petroleumcontained in the interior 40 of the storage tank 26 as the volume ofpetroleum contained in the interior increases and decreases. It shouldbe appreciated that the volume of petroleum in the interior 40 of thestorage tank 26 can cause the floating roof 24 to be positioned at alocation such that the upper surface 24 b of the floating roof 24 isdisposed below an upper end of the at least one side wall 38.Accordingly, the upper surface 24 b of the floating roof 24 and theinner surface 38 a of the side wall 38 at an upper portion 39 of theside wall 38 that is disposed above the floating roof 24 can define abasin 42 that can be configured to collect the fluid 22, which can beprovided as storm water during periods of rain.

In order to allow for the discharge of the fluid 22 from the basin 42,the storage tank 26 can include a drain 44 that extends through thefloating roof 24 from the upper surface 24 b to the lower surface 24 a.The inlet conduit 30 can extend from the floating roof 24, and inparticular from the drain 44, through the interior 40 of the petroleumstorage tank 26, and out the petroleum storage tank 26 to the inlet 29of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. Thus, the inlet conduit 30places the drain 44 in fluid communication with the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. The inlet conduit 30 can have any dimension asdesired, such as a cross-sectional dimension between one inch and teninches. The inlet conduit 30 can include a butterfly valve or anysuitable alternative actuated valve as desired configured to regulatethe flow of the fluid 22 through the inlet conduit. The inlet conduit 30includes a first conduit segment 30 a that extends from the drain 44 inthe floating roof 24. In particular, the first conduit segment 30 a canbe coupled to the lower surface 24 a of the floating roof 24 inside theinterior 40 of the petroleum storage tank 26, and in fluid communicationwith the drain 44. The first conduit segment 30 a can, for instance becoupled to the lower surface 24 a of the floating roof 24 via a flexibleor otherwise movable joint 46.

The inlet conduit 30 can further include a second inlet conduit segment30 b that extends between the first inlet conduit segment 30 a and theinlet 29 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. The second inletconduit segment 30 b can be movably coupled with respect to the firstinlet conduit segment 30 a. In one example, the second conduit segment30 b can attach at a first end to the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. Further, the second conduit segment 30 b canattach at a second end, opposite the first end, to the first conduitsegment 30 a. In another example, the inlet conduit 30 can include atleast one intermediate conduit segment 30′ coupled from the second endof the second conduit segment 30 b to the first conduit segment 30 a.The conduit segments can be attached to each other via a flexible orotherwise movable joint 46 as described above. Further, the first end ofthe second conduit segment 30 b can be attached to the inlet 29 of thefluid flow separation chamber 28 via the movable joint 46.Alternatively, because the orientation of the second conduit 30 b canremain constant as the floating roof 24 is raised and lowered withrespect to the at least one side wall 38 due to the inclusion of the atleast one intermediate conduit segment, the first end of the secondconduit 30 b can be fixedly attached to the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. It should therefore be appreciated that the inletconduit 30 can place the drain 44 in fluid communication with the inlet29 of the fluid flow separation chamber both when the floating roof 24is at a first vertical position with respect to the at least one sidewall 38, and when the floating roof 24 is at a second vertical positionwith respect to the at least one side wall 38 that is different than thefirst position.

The conduit segments 30 a, 30 b, and 30′ can be attached to each othervia the movable joint 46. Accordingly, as the floating roof 24 rises andlowers with respect to the at least one side wall 38, the movable joint46 allows the conduit segments to change in orientation and positionwith respect to the floating roof 24 without compromising the sealedinterface between the first conduit segment 30 a and the floating roof24. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the conduit segments30 a, 30 b, and 30′ can be flexible conduits.

Referring now generally to the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5B, 13A-13B,14A-14B, and 15A-15B, in each embodiment, the fluid flow separationchamber 28 defines a chamber body 48, such that the inlet 29 and theoutlet 31 extend through the chamber body 48. The outlet 31 ispositioned downstream from the inlet 29 with respect to the direction ofthe flow of fluid 22 through the chamber 28. The chamber body 48 caninclude a base 50 and at least one outer wall 52 that extends up fromthe base 50. For instance, the outer wall 52 can extend up from the base50 along a transverse direction T. The transverse direction T can beoriented in a vertical direction during use. The base 50 and the outerwall 52 each defines a respective inner surface that cooperate with eachother to define an interior 53 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28.The fluid flow separation chamber 28 can further include a heater thatis configured to deliver heat to the chamber body 48, for instance thebase 50, so as to prevent fluid 22 disposed in the interior 53 of theseparation chamber 28 from freezing.

The chamber body 48, and thus the fluid flow separation chamber 28,further includes a plurality of baffles 54 that extend up from the base50. For instance, the baffles 54 can extend up from the base 50 alongthe transverse direction T. The baffles 54 can be disposed adjacent eachother along a lateral direction A that is perpendicular to thetransverse direction T. The lateral direction A can thus be oriented ina horizontal direction during use. The chamber body 48, including thebase 50, the baffles 54, and the outer wall 52, can be made of anysuitable material as desired. In one example, the chamber body 48 can bemetallic.

The fluid flow separation chamber 28 defines a plurality of fluid flowchannels 56 that are configured to deliver the fluid from the inlet 29to the outlet 31. The fluid flow channels 56 can be defined betweenadjacent ones of the baffles 54. The fluid flow channels 56 can furtherbe defined between outermost ones of the baffles 54 and the at least oneouter wall 52. The fluid flow channels 56 can be sequentially arrangedwith respect to the direction of fluid flow from the inlet 29 to theoutlet 31 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. Thus, the fluid 22travels from the floating roof 24, through the inlet conduit 30 and theinlet 29, through the fluid flow channels 56, and out the outlet 31. Thebaffles 54 and corresponding channels 56 direct the fluid 22 to flow indifferent directions sequentially at least once as it flows from theinlet 29 to the outlet 31. For instance, the different directions can beopposite directions. The separation chamber 28 can further include anupper wall 51 that is supported by the upper end of the outer wall 52,and can cover the outer wall 52 and the baffles 54. Further, the upperwall 51 can seal against the outer wall 52 and the baffles 54, therebyclosing the upper ends of the fluid flow channels 56. The upper wall 51can be configured as a cover that can be removable (for removed instancein its entirety or hinged to the chamber body 48) from the upper ends ofthe outer wall 52 and the baffles 54, and subsequently reattached to thechamber body 48.

The fluid flow channels 56 can have a constant width W throughout theseparation chamber 28. Alternatively, the fluid flow channels 56 canhave different widths W. For instance, one or more channels 56 disposeddownstream of one or more upstream channels 56 can have a respectivewidth W greater than that of the upstream channels 56. The width W canbe measured along the lateral direction A between adjacent ones of thebaffles 54, or with respect to outermost channels 56 between theoutermost ones of the baffles 54 and the outer wall 52. Thus, it shouldbe appreciated that the fluid flow channels 56 can define a constantcross-sectional area. Alternatively, one or more of the channels canhave a greater cross-sectional area than one or more others of the fluidflow channels 56. For instance, the one or more channels having thegreater cross-sectional area can be disposed downstream of the one ormore others of the fluid flow channels 56. The cross-sectional area ofthe fluid flow channels 56 can, for instance, be measured along a planethat is oriented along a direction normal to the direction of fluid flowthrough the fluid flow channels 56. In one example, the plane can bedefined by the transverse direction T and the lateral direction A.

In one example, each of the plurality of baffles 54 defines a first endand a second end opposite the first end with respect to a longitudinaldirection L that is perpendicular to each of the transverse direction Tand the lateral direction A. The longitudinal direction L can beoriented along a horizontal direction during use. At least one of thefirst and second ends of each of the baffles 54 can be spaced from theouter wall 52. Therefore, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 defines aplurality of gaps 57 that allow the fluid 22 to flow from a respectiveone of the fluid flow channels 56 sequentially into an adjacent one ofthe fluid flow channels 56 until the fluid 22 flows out the outlet 31.

In one example, the gaps 57 can be defined by each of the baffles 54 andthe outer wall 52. Thus, the gaps 57 can be at least partially definedby the baffles 54, and in particular by the second ends of the baffles54. It should be appreciated that the gaps 57 can be defined in anysuitable alternative manner as desired. For instance the baffles 54 candefine openings therethrough that define the respective gaps 57 suitableto allow the fluid 22 to flow from the fluid flow channels 56 into anadjacent one of the fluid flow channels 56. The gaps 57 can be alignedwith each other along a horizontal plane that can be defined by thelateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L. Further, the planecan extend parallel to the base 50. Accordingly, the fluid 22 can flowalong a flow path from the inlet 29 to the outlet 31 that is defined bythe longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. The flow pathis thus defined between the base 50 and the upper wall 51. It should beappreciated that the plane can be oriented normal to the transversedirection T, as the fluid 22 flows from each of the fluid flow channels56 into an adjacent one of the fluid flow channels 56 from the inlet 29to the outlet 31.

The plurality of baffles 54 can include a first group of at least onebaffle 54 a and a second group of at least one baffle 54 b. In oneexample, adjacent ones of the baffles 54 can be spaced from each otheralong the lateral direction A. Thus, the baffles 54 can be orientedalong respective planes that are defined by the transverse direction Tand the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, at least a pair of thebaffles 54 can be oriented parallel to each other. For instance, all ofthe baffles can be oriented parallel to each other.

The outer wall 52 can include a first end 52 a, and a second end 52 bspaced from the first end 52 a along the longitudinal direction L. Theouter wall 52 can define any suitable size and shape as desired. Forinstance, the outer wall 52 can be cylindrical, otherwise round, angled,or a combination of the above. In one example, the outer wall 52 can berectangular in a plane that is defined by the longitudinal direction Land the lateral direction A between the base 50 and the upper wall 51.For instance, the outer wall 52 can include a first end wall 58 a and asecond end wall 58 b opposite the first end wall 58 a. For instance, thefirst and second end walls 58 a and 58 b can be opposite each otheralong the longitudinal direction L. The first end second ends walls 58 aand 58 b can extend up from the base 50. For instance, the first endsecond ends walls 58 a and 58 b can extend up from the base 50 along thetransverse direction T. The first end of the outer wall 52 can bedefined by the first end wall 58 a, and the second end of the outer wall52 can be defined by the second end wall 58 b.

The outer wall 52 can further include a first side wall 60 a and asecond side wall 60 b opposite the first side wall 60 a. For instance,the first and second side walls 60 a and 60 b can be spaced from eachother along the lateral direction A. Each of the first and second sidewalls 60 a and 60 b can be connected between the first and second endwalls 58 a and 58 b. For instance, the first and second side walls 60 aand 60 b can each extend from the first end wall 58 a to the second endwall 58 b. In one example, the base 40, the outer wall 52, and thebaffles 54 can define one single monolithic component. Alternatively,any one or more up to all of the base 40, the outer wall 52, and thebaffles 54 can be attached to any one or more of the base 40, the outerwall 52, and the baffles 54 in any manner as desired.

The inlet 29 defines an opening that extends through the outer wall 52of the chamber body 48. For instance, the inlet 29 can extend throughthe first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. In one example, the inlet 29can extend through the first end wall 58 a of the outer wall 52. Theinlet 29 is open to and in fluid communication with a first one of thechannels 56, which can be referred to as an upstream-most channel 56.Thus, the inlet 29 can be open to an upstream-most channel 56 such thatthe fluid 22 flows from the inlet 29 directly to the upstream-mostchannel 56. In an alternative example, the inlet 29 can extend throughthe first sidewall 60 a of the outer wall 52, such as at a location thatis proximate to the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. For instance,the inlet 29 can extend through the first sidewall 60 a of the outerwall 52 at a location that is closer to the first end wall 58 a than thesecond end wall 58 b. It should be appreciated that the terms “upstream”and “downstream” and derivatives thereof are used herein with respect tothe direction that the fluid 22 travels from the floating roof 24 to thesecond end of the outlet conduit 32, and thus from the inlet 29 to theoutlet 31 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28.

The inlet 29 can have a cross-section D in a plane that is perpendicularto the direction of the flow of the fluid 22 through the inlet 29. Thecross-sectional dimension D can extend along a horizontal directionduring use. For instance, the cross-sectional dimension D can be alignedwith the lateral direction A when the inlet 29 extends through the firstend wall 52 a. Alternatively, the cross-sectional dimension D of theinlet 29 can be aligned with the longitudinal direction L when the inlet29 extends through the first side wall 60 a. In one example, thecross-sectional dimension D of the inlet 29 can be oriented such that itis parallel to the width W of the upstream-most channel 56 as shown inFIGS. 5B, 13B, and 14B. In such a case, the cross-sectional dimension Dof the inlet 29 can be less than the width W of the upstream-mostchannel 56 adjacent the inlet 29. Thus, the inlet 29 can be open to onlythe upstream-most channel 56 of the channels 56, and an entirety of theflow of the fluid 22 can pass through the inlet 29 to the upstream-mostchannel 56.

In another example, the cross-sectional dimension D of the inlet 29 canbe oriented such that the cross-sectional dimension D of the inlet 29 isangularly offset from the width W of the upstream-most channel 56. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 15B, the cross-sectional dimension D of theinlet 29 can be oriented such that it is perpendicular to the width W ofthe upstream-most channel 56. In such a case, the cross-sectionaldimension D of the inlet 29 is not dependent upon the width W of theupstream-most channel 56. Thus, the cross-sectional dimension D of theinlet 29 can be less than, greater than, or equal to the width W of theupstream-most channel 56.

Similarly, the outlet 31 defines an opening that extends through theouter wall 52 of the chamber body 48. For instance, the outlet 31 canextend through the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52. In one example,the outlet 31 can extend through the second end wall 58 b of the outerwall 52 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. The outlet 31 is open to and in fluidcommunication with a second one of the channels 56, which can bereferred to as a downstream-most channel 56. Thus, the outlet 31 can beopen to the downstream-most channel 56 such that the fluid 22 flows fromthe outlet 31 directly to the downstream-most channel 56. In analternative example, the outlet 31 can extend through the secondsidewall 60 b of the outer wall 52 as shown in FIGS. 13A-15B. Forinstance, the outlet 31 can extend through the second sidewall 60 b ofthe outer wall 52 at a location that is between the first end wall 58 athan the second end wall 58 b.

The outlet 31 can have a cross-section in a plane that is perpendicularto the direction of the flow of the fluid 22 through the outlet 31.Further, the outlet 31 has a cross-sectional dimension D in the planethat is along a horizontal direction during use. For instance, thecross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 can be aligned with thelateral direction A when the outlet 31 extends through the second endwall 52 b. Alternatively, the cross-sectional dimension D of the outlet31 can be aligned with the longitudinal direction L when the outlet 31extends through the second side wall 60 b. In one example, thecross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 can be oriented such thatit is parallel to the width W of the downstream-most channel 56 as shownin FIG. 5B. In such a case, the cross-sectional dimension D of theoutlet 31 can be less than the width W of the downstream-most channel 56adjacent the outlet 31. Thus, the outlet 31 is open to only thedownstream-most channel 56 of the channels 56.

In another example, the cross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 canbe oriented such that it is angularly offset from the width W of thedownstream-most channel 56. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A-15B, thecross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 can be oriented such thatit is perpendicular to the width W of the downstream-most channel 56. Insuch a case, the cross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 is notdependent upon the width W of the downstream-most channel 56. Thus,orienting the cross-section of the outlet 31 such that thecross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 is perpendicular to thewidth W of the downstream-most channel 56 allows the outlet 31 to have across-sectional dimension D that is greater than the width W of thedownstream-most channel 56. It will be noted, however, that thecross-sectional dimension D of the outlet 31 can be less than, greaterthan, or equal to the width W of the downstream-most channel 56.

In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 13A-15B, the chamberbody 48, and thus the fluid flow separation chamber 28, can include atleast one flow-restricting wall 55. It will be understood that, in someexamples, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can include a pluralityof flow-restricting walls, and that at least a portion of the followingdescription can pertain to each of the flow-restricting walls. Theflow-restricting wall 55 can extend into one of the channels 56. Forexample, the flow-restricting wall 55 can extend into thedownstream-most channel 56 as shown. Alternatively, the flow-restrictingwall 55 can extend into a channel 56 that is upstream of thedownstream-most channel 56.

The flow-restricting wall 55 can be disposed between the outer wall 52and an outermost one of the baffles 54, or can be disposed betweenadjacent ones of the baffles 54. Further, the flow-restricting wall 55can be angularly offset with respect to the direction of the flow of thefluid 22 through its respective channel 56. Thus, the flow-restrictingwall 55 can limit the flow of the fluid 22 through the respectivechannel 56 so as to disrupt the flow of the fluid 22 through the channel56. For example, the flow-restricting wall 55 can obstruct a firstportion of the flow of the fluid 22 through its respective channel 56,while permitting a second portion of the flow of the fluid 22 to passthrough the respective channel 56 to the outlet 31. In one example, theflow-restricting wall 55 can be perpendicular to the direction of theflow of the fluid 22 through its respective channel 56. Theflow-restricting wall 55 can be made of any suitable material asdesired. In one example, the flow-restricting wall 55 can be metallic.

The flow-restricting wall 55 can define a first end 55 a and a secondend 55 b offset from the first end 55 a. The first end 55 a can beadjacent to one of (i) a respective baffle 54 that defines the channel56 in which the flow-restricting wall 55 is disposed and (ii) the outerwall 52. For example, the first end 55 a can be attached to the one ofthe respective baffle 54 and the outer wall 52. The second end can beadjacent to a respective baffle 54 that defines the channel 56 in whichthe flow-restricting wall 55 is disposed. In one example as shown, thefirst end 55 a is attached to the outer wall 52 and the second end 55 bis attached to the baffle 54 b by welding or other suitable fastener.The fastening can be such that at least one, such as both, of theinterfaces between the flow-restricting wall 55 and the outer wall 52and between the flow-restricting wall 55 and the baffle 54 b is porousso as to allow water to seep through the at least one interface. Thus,it can be said that at least of the interfaces defines a gap 59.Alternatively, the welding can be such that at least one, such as both,of the interfaces between the flow-restricting wall 55 and the outerwall 52 and between the flow-restricting wall 55 and the baffle 54 b iswater tight so as to prevent water from seep through the at least oneinterface. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the first andsecond ends 55 a and 55 b can be spaced from both the respective baffle54 that defines the channel 56 in which the flow-restricting wall 55 isdisposed and from the outer wall 52. In other words, least one of thefirst and the second ends 55 a and 55 b of the flow-restricting wall 55can be a free end that is not attached to any baffle 54 or the outerwall 52.

The flow-restricting wall 55 can have a upstream-most surface 55 c, anda downstream-most surface 55 d spaced from the upstream-most surface 55c along the direction of the fluid flow. The upstream-most surface 55 ccan oppose the direction of the fluid flow, and the downstream-mostsurface 55 d can face the direction of the fluid flow. Thus, theupstream-most surface 55 c can be angularly offset from the direction ofthe fluid flow. In one example, the upstream-most surface 55 c can benormal to the direction of the fluid flow. The upstream-most anddownstream-most surfaces 55 c and 55 d can extend between the first end55 a and the second end 55 b. In one example, the flow-restricting wall55 can have a thickness from the upstream-most surface 55 c to thedownstream-most surface 55 d that is less than a width from the firstend 55 a to the second end 55 b.

When implemented in the downstream-most channel 56, the flow-restrictingwall 55 can be spaced from the outlet 31 along a horizontal direction.For example, the flow-restricting wall 55 can be spaced from the outlet31 along the longitudinal direction L so as to define a gap between theflow-restricting wall 55 and the outlet 31. Further, the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 can be configured to support the sensor 34 at asensor location, and the flow-restricting wall 55 can be spaced betweenthe sensor location and the outlet 31 with respect to the direction offluid flow. In some embodiments, the fluid flow separation chamber 28include the sensor 34, and the flow-restricting wall 55 can be spacedbetween the sensor 34 and the outlet 31 with respect to the direction offluid flow. It will be understood that the fluid flow separation chamber28 can be distributed together with, or separately from, the sensor 34.

The flow-restricting wall 55 can have a width along a horizontaldirection that is less than or substantially equal to a width of thechannel 56 in which the flow-restricting wall 55 is disposed. In someembodiments, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can define a gap 59between the flow-restricting wall 55 and one of (i) a respective baffle54 that defines the channel 56 in which the flow-restricting wall 55 isdisposed and (ii) the outer wall 52. The gap 59 can allow the fluid 22to flow through a respective one of the fluid flow channels 56 from theupstream-most side 55 c of the flow-restricting wall 55 to thedownstream-most side 55 d of the flow-restricting wall 55. Theflow-restricting wall 55 can have a height along the transversedirection T. In one example, the height of the flow-restricting wall 55can be less than a height of the outer wall 52 along the transversedirection T. Further, the height can be greater than a height from thebase 50 to a top of the outlet 31 such that the flow-restricting wall 55extends higher than the outlet 31. Thus, the flow-restricting wall 55can allow the fluid to flow over the flow-restricting wall 55 to theoutlet 31. In another example, the height of the flow-restricting wall55 can be equal to a height of the outer wall 52 along the transversedirection T. Thus, the flow-restricting wall 55 can limit flow of thefluid over the flow-restricting wall 55. In addition or alternatively,the flow-restricting wall 55 can be spaced from the base 50 along thetransverse direction T so as to allow fluid to flow under theflow-restricting wall 55.

In one example, the gap 59 can at least partially be defined by arespective flow-restricting wall 55. For example, the gap 59 can bedefined by the second end of the flow-restricting wall 55. The gap 59can be defined between flow-restricting wall 55 and one of a baffle 54and the outer wall 52. It should be appreciated that the gap 59 can bedefined in any suitable alternative manner as desired. For instance, theflow-restricting wall 55 can define an opening therethrough that definesa respective gap 59 suitable to allow the fluid 22 to flow from theupstream-most side 55 c of the flow-restricting wall 55 to thedownstream-most side 55 d of the flow-restricting wall 55. The gap 59can be aligned with the gaps 57 along a plane that can be defined by thelateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L. Thus, theflow-restricting wall 55 can have a cross-sectional area in a firstvertical plane, the channel 56 into which the flow-restricting wall 55extends can have a cross-sectional area in a second vertical plane thatis parallel to the first vertical plane, and the cross-sectional area ofthe channel 56 can be greater than the cross-sectional area of theflow-restricting wall 55. In one example, the first and second verticalplanes can be defined in the lateral direction A and the transversedirection T.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 13A-15B, a firstflow-restricting wall 55 can be disposed in the downstream-most channel56. The flow-restricting wall 55 can extend from the outer wall 52 intothe downstream-most channel 56. Further, the second end 55 b of theflow-restricting wall 55 can be spaced from the baffle 54 that definesthe downstream-most channel 56. Thus, a gap 59 can be at least partiallydefined between the flow-restricting wall 55 and the baffle 54 thatdefines the downstream-most channel 56, and in particular between thesecond end of the flow-restricting wall 55 and the baffle 54. It will benoted that, in alternative examples, the flow-restricting wall 55 can bedisposed in a channel other than the downstream-most channel 56, or aplurality of flow-restricting walls 55 can be disposed in a plurality ofchannels 56. Additionally, more than one flow-restricting wall 55 can bedisposed within the same channel 56.

Referring more specifically to the embodiments in FIGS. 5A-5B and13A-13B, the first group of at least one baffle 54 a and the secondgroup of at least one baffle 54 b can be alternatingly arranged witheach other. Thus, the at least one baffle 54 of the first group of atleast one baffle 54 a can be alternatingly arranged with the at leastone baffle 54 of the second group of the at least one baffle 54 b.Further, the first ends of the first group of at least one baffle 54 acan be disposed opposite the first ends of the second group of the atleast one baffle 54 b, for instance with respect to the longitudinaldirection L. The second ends of the first group of at least one baffle54 a can be disposed opposite the second ends of the second group of theat least one baffle 54 b, for instance with respect to the longitudinaldirection L. Thus, adjacent ones of the gaps 57 that are adjacent eachother with respect to the direction of the flow of the fluid 22 throughthe separation chamber 28 are spaced from each other along thelongitudinal direction L, and are further offset from each other withrespect to the lateral direction.

The at least one first end of the first group of at least one baffle 54a can extend from the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. The at leastone gap 57 defined by the first group of at least one baffle 54 a can bedisposed proximate the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 that isopposite the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52, for instance withrespect to the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the at least one gap 57defined by the first group of at least one baffle 54 a can be disposedcloser to the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 than the first end 52a of the outer wall 52. The at least one first end of the second groupof at least one baffle 54 b can extend from the second end 52 b of theouter wall 52. Thus, the at least one gap 57 defined by the second groupof at least one baffle 54 b can be disposed proximate the first end 52 aof the outer wall 52. Thus, the at least one gap 57 defined by thesecond group of at least one baffle 54 b can be disposed closer to thefirst end 52 a of the outer wall 52 than the second end 52 b of theouter wall 52. It should be appreciated that the gaps 57 defined by thefirst and second groups of at least one baffle 54 a and 54 b can definea horizontally oriented serpentine flow path for the fluid 22 travelingfrom the inlet 29 to the outlet 31.

In one example, the at least one first end of each of the first group ofat least one baffle 54 a extends from the first end wall 58 a. The atleast one second end of each of the first group of at least one baffle54 b can be spaced from the second end wall 58 b so as to define therespective at least one gap 57. The first end of each of the secondgroup of at least one baffle 54 b extends from the second end wall 58 b.The second end of each of the second group of at least one baffle 54 bcan be spaced from the first end wall 58 a so as to define therespective at least one gap 57.

The first group of at least one baffle 54 a can extend from theirrespective first ends to their respective second ends in a firstdirection. The first direction can be oriented along the longitudinaldirection L. The first end of each of the first group of the at leastone baffle 54 a extends from the outer wall 52. For instance, the firstend of each of the first group of the at least one baffle 54 a extendsfrom the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. The second end of thefirst group of at least one baffle 54 a can define the gap 57 asdescribed above. Thus, in one example, the second end of the first groupof at least one baffle 54 a can be spaced from the outer wall 52. Eachof the second group of at least one baffle 54 b can extend from itsrespective first end to its respective second end along a seconddirection that is angularly offset from the first direction. Forinstance, the second direction can be opposite the first direction.Thus, the second direction can be oriented along the longitudinaldirection L. The first end of each of the second group of at least onebaffle 54 b extends from the outer wall. For instance, the first end ofeach of the second group of the at least one baffle 54 b extends fromthe second end 52 b of the outer wall 52. The second end of each of thesecond group of at least one baffle 54 b can define a respective gap 57as described above. Thus, in one example, the second end of each of thesecond group of at least one baffle 54 b can be spaced from the outerwall 52.

The first side wall 60 a can cooperate with a first laterally outermostone of the baffles 54 so as to define a respective first one of thefluid flow channels 56. The first one of the fluid flow channels 56 canbe an upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 with respect tothe flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber 28. Similarly,the second side wall 60 b can cooperate with a second laterallyoutermost one of the baffles 54 so as to define a respective second oneof the fluid flow channels 56. The second one of the fluid flow channels56 can be a downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 withrespect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber 28.The baffles 54 can cooperate with one another so as to define one ormore fluid flow channels 56 between the upstream-most one of the fluidflow channels 56 and the downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels56 with respect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separationchamber 28. The fluid flow channels 56 defined between the upstream-mostone of the fluid flow channels 56 and the downstream-most one of thefluid flow channels 56 can be referred to as inner fluid flow channels56.

During operation, the fluid 22 enters the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. The fluid 22 then travels sequentially throughthe upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56, the inner fluidflow channels, and the downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56along a serpentine flow path between the inlet 29 and the outlet 31. Forinstance, the fluid 22 can travel alternatingly in the first directionthrough respective first ones of the fluid flow channels 56, and in thesecond direction through respective second ones of the fluid flowchannels 56. In one example, the fluid 22 can travel in the firstdirection through the upstream-most channel 56, in the second directionthrough the inner channel 56, and in the first direction through thedownstream-most channel 56. The first and second directions can beoriented substantially along the longitudinal direction L, taking intoaccount variations in the fluid flow through the fluid flow channels 56.

The fluid 22 can travel along the lateral direction A through the gaps57 between the adjacent fluid flow channels 56. Further, the flow of thefluid 22 through the downstream-most channel 56 can be restricted by theflow-restricting wall 55. The fluid 22 then exits the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 out the outlet 31. The fluid flow separationchamber 28 is configured to cause the fluid 22 to flow through the fluidflow channels 56 at a flow rate that is less than the flow rate throughthe inlet conduit 30. For instance, adjacent ones of the baffles 54 canbe spaced a first distance along the lateral direction A, and the inlet29 defines a cross-sectional dimension D along the lateral direction A,such that the first distance is greater than the cross-sectionaldimension D. Further, the outlet 31 can define a cross-sectional areathat is greater than or substantially equal to the cross-sectional areaof the inlet 29. Designing the cross-sectional area of the outlet 31 tobe greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet 29 can reduce therisk of the fluid flow separation chamber 28 overflowing. Alternativelyor additionally, the height of the baffles 54 from the base 50 to theupper ends of the baffles 54 can be spaced a distance that is greaterthan the cross-sectional dimension of the inlet 29. Accordingly, across-sectional area of the fluid 22 along a plane defined by thetransverse direction T and the lateral direction A in the fluid flowchannels 56 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fluid 22 inthe inlet conduit 30.

Referring now more specifically to the embodiment in FIGS. 14A-14B, thefirst group of at least one baffle 54 a and the second group of at leastone baffle 54 b can be aligned with each other along the lateraldirection A. Thus, the at least one baffle 54 of the first group of atleast one baffle 54 a can be aligned with the at least one baffle 54 ofthe second group of the at least one baffle 54 b. For example, the firstends of each of the first group of at least one baffle 54 a can bealigned with the first ends of the second group of the at least onebaffle 54 b, for instance with respect to the lateral direction A.Further, the second ends of the first group of at least one baffle 54 acan be aligned with the second ends of the second group of the at leastone baffle 54 b, for instance with respect to the lateral direction A.Note that, in alternative examples, the second ends of the first groupof at least one baffle 54 a may be out of alignment with the second endsof the second group of the at least one baffle 54 b, for instance withrespect to the lateral direction A.

The first end each baffle 54 a of the first group can extend from thefirst end 52 a of the outer wall 52. Each baffle 54 a of the first groupcan define at least one gap 57 that is disposed proximate the second end52 b of the outer wall 52 that is opposite the first end 52 a of theouter wall 52, for instance with respect to the longitudinal directionL. Thus, each gap 57 defined by the first group of at least one baffle54 a can be disposed closer to the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52than the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. Similarly, the first endof each baffle 54 b of the second group can extend from the first end 52a of the outer wall 52. Each baffle 54 b of the second group can defineat least one gap 57 that is disposed proximate the second end 52 b ofthe outer wall 52. Thus, each gap 57 defined by the second group of atleast one baffle 54 b can be disposed closer to the second end 52 b ofthe outer wall 52 than the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. Asshown, adjacent ones of the gaps 57 can be aligned with each other alongthe lateral direction A. It should be appreciated that the gaps 57defined by the first and second groups of at least one baffle 54 a and54 b can define a horizontally oriented flow path for the fluid 22traveling from the inlet 29 to the outlet 31.

In one example as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B, the first end of each baffle54 a of the first group can extend from the first end wall 58 a.Further, the at least one second end of each baffle 54 a of the firstgroup can be spaced from the second end wall 58 b so as to define therespective at least one gap 57. Similarly, the first end of each baffle54 b of the second group can extend from the first end wall 58 a, andthe second end of each baffle 54 b of the second group can be spacedfrom the second end wall 58 b so as to define the respective at leastone gap 57. Each baffle 54 a of the first group can extend from theirrespective first ends to their respective second ends in a firstdirection. The first direction can be oriented along the longitudinaldirection L. Similarly, each baffle 54 b of the second group can extendfrom its respective first end to its respective second end along thefirst direction.

The first side wall 60 a can cooperate with a first laterally outermostone of the baffles 54 so as to define a respective first one of thefluid flow channels 56. The first one of the fluid flow channels 56 canbe an upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 with respect tothe flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber 28. Similarly,the second side wall 60 b can cooperate with a second laterallyoutermost one of the baffles 54 so as to define a respective second oneof the fluid flow channels 56. The second one of the fluid flow channels56 can be a downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 withrespect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber 28.

The baffles 54 can cooperate with one another so as to define at leastone flow-settling compartment 65. It will be understood that, in someexamples, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can define a plurality offlow-settling compartments, and that at least a portion of the followingdescription can pertain to each of the flow-settling compartments. Forexample, the flow-settling compartment 65 can be disposed between thebaffle or baffles 54 a of the first group and the baffle or baffles 54 bof the second group. The flow-settling compartment 65 can be definedbetween the upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 and thedownstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56. The flow-settlingcompartment 65 is at least partially defined between adjacent ones ofthe fluid flow channels 56 and the outer wall 52. For example, theflow-settling compartment 65 can be at least partially defined betweenadjacent ones of the fluid flow channels 56 and the first end 52 a ofouter wall 52, such as by the first end wall 58 a. The flow-settlingcompartment 65 has a first end 65 a, and a second end 65 b offset fromthe first end 65 a along the longitudinal direction L. The first end 65a is closed at the first end 52 of the outer wall 52. Further, thesecond end 65 b is open to the fluid flow channels 56 at a location thatis closer to the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 than the first end52 a of the outer wall 52. Thus, the second end 65 b of theflow-settling compartment 65 is open to and in fluid communication withthe fluid flow channels 56. As such, the fluid 22 can flow into and outof the flow-settling compartment 65 through the same end or opening ofthe flow-settling compartment 65.

During operation, the fluid 22 enters the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. The fluid 22 then travels through theupstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 towards theflow-settling compartment 65 and the downstream-most one of the fluidflow channels 56. The cross-sectional area of the flow-settlingcompartment 65 is greater than that of the inlet 29. As a result, theflow of the fluid 22 can slow as the flow-settling compartment 65 fillswith the fluid 22. Further, as the flow-settling compartment 65 fillswith the fluid 22, the fluid 22 in the flow-settling compartment 65slows the flow of the fluid 22 from the upstream-most one of the fluidflow channels 56 to the downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels56. In one example, the fluid 22 can travel in the first directionthrough the upstream-most channel 56, in the second direction into theflow-settling compartment 65, in the first direction out of theflow-settling compartment 65, and in the second direction through thedownstream-most channel 56. The first and second directions can beoriented substantially along the longitudinal direction L, taking intoaccount variations in the fluid flow through the fluid flow channels 56.

The fluid 22 can travel along the lateral direction A through the gaps57 between the adjacent fluid flow channels 56. Further, the fluid 22can also travel along the lateral direction A from the upstream-mostchannel 56 to the downstream-most channel 56. In such a case, the fluid22 in the flow-settling compartment 65 can slow the flow of the fluid 22from the upstream-most channel 56 to the downstream-most channel 56. Asdescribed above, the flow of the fluid 22 through the downstream-mostchannel 56 can be restricted by the flow-restricting wall 55. The fluid22 then exits the fluid flow separation chamber 28 out the outlet 31.

The fluid flow separation chamber 28 is configured to cause the fluid 22to flow through the fluid flow channels 56 at a flow rate that is lessthan the flow rate through the inlet conduit 30. For instance, adjacentones of the baffles 54 can be spaced a first distance along the lateraldirection A, and the inlet 29 defines a cross-sectional dimension Dalong the lateral direction A, such that the first distance is greaterthan the cross-sectional dimension D. Further, the outlet 31 can definea cross-sectional area that is greater than or substantially equal tothe cross-sectional area of the inlet 29. Alternatively or additionally,the height of the baffles 54 from the base 50 to the upper ends of thebaffles 54 can be spaced a distance that is greater than thecross-sectional dimension of the inlet 29. Accordingly, across-sectional area of the fluid 22 along a plane defined by thetransverse direction T and the lateral direction A in the fluid flowchannels 56 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fluid 22 inthe inlet conduit 30.

Referring now more specifically to the embodiment in FIGS. 15A-15B, thechamber body 48, and thus the fluid flow separation chamber 28, caninclude at least one flow-diverting wall 63. It will be understood that,in some examples, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can include aplurality of flow-diverting walls, and that at least a portion of thefollowing description can pertain to each of the flow-diverting walls.The flow-diverting wall 63 can receive the flow of the fluid 22 alongone direction, and divert the flow along a different direction. Further,the flow-diverting wall 63 can slow the flow of the fluid into at leastone of the channels 56. The flow-diverting wall 63 can extend up fromthe base 50. For instance, the flow-diverting wall 63 can extend up fromthe base 50 along the transverse direction T. The flow-diverting wall 63can have a height along the transverse direction that is less than orequal to a height of the outer wall 52.

The flow-diverting wall 63 can be opposite the inlet 29, and can thus beconsidered to be an inlet flow-diverting wall 63. For example, theflow-diverting wall 63 can include a first side 63 a, and a second side63 b opposite the first side 63 a. The first side 63 a can face theinlet 29. The first side 63 a can be angularly offset with respect tothe direction of the flow of the fluid 22 through the inlet 29. Forexample, the first side 63 a can be perpendicular to the direction ofthe flow of the fluid 22 through the inlet 29. Further, in at least oneexample, the first side 63 a can be parallel to the cross-section of theinlet 29. In one example, the flow-diverting wall 63 can also include aportion at its upper end that extends from the first side 63 a along thelongitudinal direction L, such as towards the inlet 29. The portion canface the base 50 and can limit the flow of the fluid 22 passing over theflow-diverting wall 63. The flow-diverting wall 63 can be made of anysuitable material as desired. In one example, the flow-diverting wall 63can be metallic.

The flow-diverting wall 63 can define a first end 63 c and a second end63 d offset from the first end 63 c. The first end 63 c of theflow-diverting wall 63 can extend from one of a baffle 54 and the outerwall 52. Thus, the first end 63 c of the flow-diverting wall 63 can beattached to the one of the baffle 54 and the outer wall 52 so as toprevent the fluid 22 from passing between the first end 63 c and the oneof the baffle 54 and the outer wall 52. Similarly, the second end 63 dof each flow-diverting wall 63 can extend from one of a baffle 54 andthe outer wall 52, different from the one of the baffle 54 and the outerwall 52 from which the first end extends. Thus, the second end 63 d ofthe flow-diverting wall 63 can be attached to the one of the baffle 54and the outer wall 52 so as to prevent the fluid 22 from passing betweenthe second end 63 d and the one of the baffle 54 and the outer wall 52.In one example as shown in FIGS. 15A-15B, the first end 63 c of theflow-diverting wall 63 extends from the outer wall 52, such as from thefirst side wall 60 a. Further, the second end 63 d of the flow-divertingwall 63 extends from one of the baffles 54.

The flow-diverting wall 63 cooperates with the outer wall 52 so as todefine a respective first fluid flow channel 56. In particular, theflow-diverting wall 63 is spaced from the outer wall 52 to define thefirst fluid flow channel 56 between the flow-diverting wall 63 and theouter wall 52. For example, the flow-diverting wall 63 can be spacedfrom the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52, and more particularly,from the first end wall 58 a of the outer wall 52. The first fluid flowchannel 56 can be an upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56with respect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber28. The flow-diverting wall 63 and the outer wall 52 direct the flow ofthe fluid 22 along the lateral direction A.

The first end of each baffle 54 a of the first group of at least onebaffle can extend from the second end of the flow-diverting wall 63.Each baffle 54 a of the first group can define at least one gap 57 thatis disposed proximate the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 that isopposite the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52, for instance withrespect to the longitudinal direction L. Thus, each gap 57 defined bythe first group of at least one baffle 54 a can be disposed closer tothe second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 than the first end 52 a of theouter wall 52. Further, the first end of each baffle 54 b of the secondgroup can extend from the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52.Similarly, each baffle 54 b of the second group can define at least onegap 57 that is disposed proximate the second end 52 b of the outer wall52. Thus, each gap 57 defined by the second group of at least one baffle54 b can be disposed closer to the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52than the first end 52 a of the outer wall 52. As shown, adjacent ones ofthe gaps 57 can be aligned with each other along the lateral directionA. It should be appreciated that the gaps 57 defined by the first andsecond groups of at least one baffle 54 a and 54 b can define ahorizontally oriented flow path for the fluid 22 traveling from theinlet 29 to the outlet 31.

In one example as shown in FIGS. 15A-15B, the at least one second end ofeach baffle 54 a of the first group can be spaced from the second endwall 58 b so as to define the respective at least one gap 57. Similarly,the second end of each baffle 54 b of the second group can be spacedfrom the second end wall 58 b so as to define the respective at leastone gap 57. Each baffle 54 a of the first group can extend from theirrespective first ends to their respective second ends in a firstdirection. The first direction can be oriented along the longitudinaldirection L. Similarly, each baffle 54 b of the second group can extendfrom its respective first end to its respective second end along thefirst direction.

The outer wall 52 can cooperate with the baffles 54 so as to define aflow-settling compartment 65. Thus, the outer wall 52 and the baffles 54can at least partially define the flow-settling compartment 65. Forexample, the first side wall 60 a of the outer wall 52 can cooperatewith a first laterally outermost one of the baffles 54 so as to definethe flow-settling compartment 65 between the outermost one of thebaffles 54 and first side wall 60 a. Further, the outer wall 52 cancooperate with the flow-diverting wall 63 so as to define theflow-settling compartment 65. Thus, the outer wall 52 and theflow-diverting wall 63 can at least partially define the flow-settlingcompartment. For example, the second end wall 58 b of the outer wall 52can cooperate with the flow-diverting wall 63 so as to define theflow-settling compartment 65 between the second end wall 58 b and theflow-diverting wall 63.

The flow-settling compartment 65 has a first end 65 a, and a second end65 b offset from the first end 65 a along the longitudinal direction L.The first end 65 a is closed at the flow-diverting wall 63. Further, thesecond end 65 b is open to the fluid flow channels 56 at a location thatis closer to the second end 52 b of the outer wall 52 than the first end52 a of the outer wall 52. Thus, the second end 65 b of theflow-settling compartment 65 is open to and in fluid communication withthe fluid flow channels 56. As such, the fluid 22 can flow into and outof the flow-settling compartment 65 through the same end or opening ofthe flow-settling compartment 65.

The second side wall 60 b can cooperate with a second laterallyoutermost one of the baffles 54 so as to define a respective second oneof the fluid flow channels 56. The second one of the fluid flow channels56 can be a downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56 withrespect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separation chamber 28.The baffles 54 can cooperate with one another so as to define one ormore fluid flow channels 56 between the upstream-most one of the fluidflow channels 56 and the downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels56 with respect to the flow of the fluid 22 through the separationchamber 28. The fluid flow channels 56 defined between the upstream-mostone of the fluid flow channels 56 and the downstream-most one of thefluid flow channels 56 can be referred to as inner fluid flow channels56.

During operation, the fluid 22 enters the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. The fluid 22 then travels sequentially throughthe upstream-most one of the fluid flow channels 56, the inner fluidflow channels 56, and the downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels56 along a flow path between the inlet 29 and the outlet 31. Inaddition, the fluid 22 can also travel along the lateral direction Athrough the gap 57 between the inner fluid flow channel 56 and theflow-settling compartment 65 and through the gap 57 between the innerfluid flow channel 56 and the downstream-most fluid flow channel 56. Thefirst and second directions can be oriented substantially along thelongitudinal direction L, taking into account variations in the fluidflow through the fluid flow channels 56.

In one example, the fluid 22 enters the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 along the first direction. The flow-diverting wall60 diverts the flow from the first direction to the lateral direction A.The fluid 22 travels in the lateral direction A through theupstream-most channel 56 to the inner channel 56. The fluid 22 thentravels in the first direction through the inner channel 56. Next,portions of the fluid 22 can travel in the lateral direction A throughthe gaps 57 to both the downstream-most channel 56 and the flow-settlingcompartment 65. In the flow-settling compartment 65, the fluid 22 cantravel in the second direction into the flow-settling compartment 65,and in the first direction out of the flow-settling compartment 65. Thefirst and second directions can be oriented substantially along thelongitudinal direction L, taking into account variations in the fluidflow through the fluid flow channels 56.

The cross-sectional area of the flow-settling compartment 65 can begreater than that of the inlet 29. As a result, the flow of the fluid 22can slow as the flow-settling compartment 65 fills with the fluid 22.Further, as the flow-settling compartment 65 fills with the fluid 22,the fluid 22 in the flow-settling compartment 65 causes the flow of thefluid 22 from the inner fluid flow channel 56 to the downstream-most oneof the fluid flow channels 56 to slow. In the downstream-most channel56, the fluid 22 travels in the second direction to the outlet 31. Thefluid 22 then exits the fluid flow separation chamber 28 out the outlet31. As described above, the flow of the fluid 22 through thedownstream-most channel 56 can be restricted by the flow-restrictingwall 55.

The fluid flow separation chamber 28 is configured to cause the fluid 22to flow through the fluid flow channels 56 at a flow rate that is lessthan the flow rate through the inlet conduit 30. For instance, eachchannel 56 defines a width W along a horizontal direction that isperpendicular to the direction of flow through the channel, and theinlet 29 defines a cross-sectional dimension D along the lateraldirection A, such that each width W is greater than the cross-sectionaldimension D. Further, the outlet 31 can define a cross-sectional areathat is greater than or substantially equal to the cross-sectional areaof the inlet 29. Alternatively or additionally, the height of thebaffles 54 from the base 50 to the upper ends of the baffles 54 can bespaced a distance that is greater than the cross-sectional dimension ofthe inlet 29. Accordingly, a cross-sectional area of the fluid 22 alonga plane that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow through thefluid flow channels 56 is greater than the cross-sectional area of thefluid 22 in the inlet conduit 30.

Referring again generally to FIGS. 5A-5B and 13A-15B, the separationchamber 28 includes one or more flow-restricting features that can causethe flow rate of the fluid 22 to decrease with respect to the flow rateof the fluid 22 through the inlet conduit 30, such that separationchamber 28 causes the flow of the fluid 22 to become laminar. As aresult, hydrocarbons present in the fluid 22 will rise to the uppersurface of the fluid 22 in the chamber 28 between the inlet 29 and theoutlet 31. Accordingly, the hydrocarbon sensor 34 can reliably detectthe hydrocarbons in the fluid 22.

The one or more flow-restricting features can include a plurality ofchannels 56 that cooperate with one another to disrupt the flow rate ofthe fluid 22 received at the inlet 29 by changing the direction of theflow of the fluid 22 within the chamber 28. The one or moreflow-restricting features can additionally or alternatively include atleast one channel 56 having a cross-sectional area that is greater thana cross-sectional area of the inlet 29, where the cross-sectional areaof each channel 56 is perpendicular to the flow of the fluid 22 in therespective channel and the cross-sectional area of the inlet 29 isperpendicular to the flow of the fluid through the inlet 29. The one ormore flow-restricting features can additionally or alternatively includeat least one flow-restricting wall 55 that limits the flow of the fluid22 through a respective channel 56 so as to slow the flow of the fluid22 through the channel 56. The one or more flow-restricting features canadditionally or alternatively include at least one flow-diverting wall63 that can receive the flow of the fluid 22 along one direction, anddivert an entirety of the flow along a different direction so as to slowthe flow of the fluid into at least one of the channels 56. The one ormore flow-restricting features can additionally or alternatively includeat least one flow-settling compartment 65 that fills with the fluid 22and slows the flow of the fluid 22 between the fluid flow channels 56.

In one example, the hydrocarbon sensor 34 is configured to output asignal in response to a detection of the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid 22 that travels through the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 along a direction from the inlet 29 to the outlet31. The sensor 34 can be supported by the separation chamber 28 oralternative suitable structure, such that the sensor 34 is positioned todetect a threshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22 at a locationadjacent the outlet 31 of the separation chamber 28. The thresholdamount can be an amount sufficient to cause a sheen at the upper surfaceof the fluid 22. Thus, the sensor 34 can be configured to detecthydrocarbons at the upper surface of the fluid 22. For instance, thesensor 45 can be positioned such that it detects hydrocarbons at theupper surface of the fluid 22 while the fluid is in the separationchamber 28. Thus, in one example, the location adjacent the outlet 31 isinside the fluid flow separation chamber 28. It should be appreciatedthat the sensor 34 can be configured to detect petroleum at any suitablelocation of the separation chamber 28 where it is expected that thehydrocarbons will be present at the upper surface of the fluid 22. Thesensor 34 can be mounted to the chamber body 48, such as the outer wall52. It should be appreciated, of course, that the hydrocarbon sensor 34can be mounted to any suitable alternative structure such that thesensor 34 is in operable communication with the fluid 22 so as to sensethe threshold amount of petroleum in the fluid 22. For instance, it isenvisioned that in certain examples the sensor can be positioned so asto detect the presence of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22 at a locationdownstream from the outlet 31.

As described above, and referring to FIG. 7, the hydrocarbon sensor 34is configured to output a signal in response to a detection of thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22. The signal can betransmitted over a hard wire, or wirelessly as desired. The signal canbe received by a processor, or the hydrocarbon sensor 34 can include aprocessor, that receives the signal and, in response to the signal,sends command signals to one or more peripheral devices, for instance toclose a valve that halts the flow of the fluid 22 through the separationchamber 28 as described in more detail below. The command signals can becommunicated over a hard wire, or wirelessly as desired. Alternatively,the peripheral devices can include a processor that receives the signaldirectly from the hydrocarbon sensor 34 and, in response to the signal,activates an alarm condition. For instance, the peripheral devices caninclude at least one audio alarm 62, at least one visual alarm 64, andat least one remote transmitter 66 configured to transmit a remotealarm. The audio alarm 62 can be disposed local to the separationchamber 28. Alternatively, the audio alarm 62 can be located remote fromthe separation chamber 28, for instance in a control room.

The audio alarm 62 is configured to emit an audible signal in responseto the detection of the threshold amount of petroleum as sensed by thehydrocarbon sensor 34. Similarly, the visual alarm 64 can be disposedlocal to the separation chamber 28. Alternatively, the visual alarm 64can be located remote from the separation chamber 28, for instance inthe control room. The visual alarm 64 is configured to emit a visiblealarm in response to the detection of the threshold amount of petroleumas sensed by the hydrocarbon sensor 34. The at least one remotetransmitter 66 can likewise be disposed local to the separation chamber28. Alternatively, the at least one remote transmitter 66 can be locatedremote from the separation chamber 28, for instance in a control room.The remote transmitter 66 can be configured to send an alarm signal to aremote location. For instance, the remote transmitter 66 can initiateand send a message, such as a text message, email, phone call, or thelike, to a user indicating the alarm condition. Alternatively oradditionally, the remote transmitter 66 can update a webpage or othercommunications medium for detection by a user. Alternatively, the system20 can include a web-browser application that allows a remote user tomonitor the status of one or more separation chambers 28 disposed atvarious locations, and operate the system 20 remotely as desired.

It is further recognized that diagnostic output can be sent to theremote user advising the user of the status of the sensor 34. Forinstance, when the sensor 34 outputs a first signal having a firstvalue, such as a first range of millivolts, a diagnostic unit coupled tothe sensor 34 can conclude that the sensor 34 is in a fault condition,and needs to be serviced. When the sensor 34 outputs a first signalhaving a second value different than the first value, such as a secondrange of millivolts, the diagnostic unit concludes that the sensor 34 isoperating normally without sensing hydrocarbons. When the sensor 34outputs a third signal having a third value different than both thefirst and second values, such as a third range of millivolts, thediagnostic unit concludes that the sensor 34 is operating normally andhas sensed the presence of hydrocarbons. The second value can be greaterthan the first value, and the third value can be greater than each ofthe first and second values.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, it is envisioned that in some situationsduring use, the petroleum storage tank 26 may allow petroleum to enterthe fluid 22 at a minimal rate, such that only a trace amount ofhydrocarbons are present in the fluid 22. Accordingly, the monitoringsystem 20 can include at least one oil-absorbent media 68 that ispositioned in at least one of the fluid flow channels 56, such that atleast a portion of the fluid 22 passes through the oil-absorbent media68. It will be noted that each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5B and13A-15B can include the at least one oil-absorbent media 68 that ispositioned in at least one of the fluid flow channels 56 and configuredas provided herein. If the fluid 22 passing through the oil-absorbentmedia 68 contains petroleum or other hydrocarbons, the oil-absorbentmedia 68 can absorb some up to all of the hydrocarbons in the fluid 22prior to the fluid 22 traveling past the sensor 34. Accordingly,hydrocarbons that may have been present in the fluid 22 in a sufficientquantity to cause the sensor 34 to detect an alarm condition can beabsorbed by the media 68 in sufficient quantity that allows the fluid 22to flow past the sensor 22 without detection of hydrocarbons insufficient quantity that causes the alarm condition.

In one example, the separation chamber 28 can include at least one ormore absorptive members 70 that comprises the absorptive media 68. Itwill be noted that each of the embodiments of FIGS. 5A-5B and 13A-15Bcan include the at least one or more absorptive member 70 that ispositioned and configured as provided herein. In particular, theoil-absorbent media can be supported in at least one of the fluid flowchannels 56. For instance, the oil-absorbent media 68 can be supportedby at least one of the base 50, the outer wall 52, and at least one ofthe baffles 54. The oil-absorbent media 68 can be disposed at a locationsuch that the oil-absorbent media 68 is positioned to remove thepetroleum from the fluid 22. In one example, the oil-absorbent media 68can be hydrophobic. For instance, the oil-absorbent media 68 beconfigured as any suitable material commercially available from MillerWaste Mills, Inc. having a place of business in Winona, Minn.Alternatively, the oil-absorbent media 68 can be commercially availablefrom Phase III, Inc., having a principle place of business in Chandler,Ariz. Alternatively still, the oil-absorbent media 68 can becommercially available from Universal Remediation, Inc., having a placeof business in Pittsburgh, Pa. Visual inspection of the oil-absorbentmedia 68 can allow a user to assess whether petroleum is beingintroduced into the fluid 22 even though the sensor 34 is not detectingthe threshold amount of petroleum in the fluid 22 sufficient to indicatean alarm condition. Thus, the user can replace or clean theoil-absorbent media 68, and can proactively take steps to address thesource of petroleum ingress into the fluid 22.

As described above, it is recognized that the separation chamber 28 canbe configured to cause hydrocarbons in the fluid 22 to rise to the uppersurface of the fluid 22 to create a sheen as the fluid 22 travelsthrough the separation chamber 28. Accordingly, the oil-absorbent media68 can be positioned such that the upper surface of the fluid 22 flowingthrough the separation chamber 28 is aligned with a portion of theabsorptive media 68. Thus, the oil-absorbent media 68 can define atleast a location that is spaced up from the base 50. For instance, theoil-absorbent media 68 can be movably supported at an upper end of thechamber body 48 in one of the fluid flow channels 56 such that the flowof the fluid 22 through the one of the fluid flow channels 56 can causethe oil-absorbent media 68 to rise to the upper surface of the fluid 22as the fluid 22 travels past the oil-absorbent media 68. For instance,the monitoring system 20 can include at least one cage 72 that eachcontains at least one the oil-absorbent member 70 that is made of theoil-absorbent media 68. The oil-absorbent member 70 can be cylindricalin shape or can define any alternative suitable shape as desired. Thepetroleum absorbent member 70 can, for instance, be positioned so as toextend between and from adjacent ones of the baffles 54, or an outermostone of the baffles 54 and the outer wall 52. The cage 72 isfluid-permeable, such that the cage 72 allows the fluid 22 to flowtherethrough between the inlet 29 and the outlet 31 of the separationchamber 28. The cage 72 can be pivotally attached to the chamber body 48or the upper wall 51, such that the cage 72, and thus the containedoil-absorbent media 68, rides along the upper surface of the fluid 22 asthe fluid 22 travels through the separation chamber 28. The separationchamber 28 can include a plurality (e.g., more than one) cage 72,disposed in series with respect to the flow of the fluid 22 through theseparation chamber 28. Thus, one of the oil-absorbent members 70 can bedisposed downstream of another one of the oil-absorbent members. Whenthe absorbent members 70 have become saturated with petroleum, thesaturated absorbent members 70 can be replaced with new absorbentmembers 70. For instance, the cage 72 can be opened, the saturatedabsorbent members 70 can be removed, new absorbent members 70 can beinserted into the cage 72, and the cage 72 can be closed.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, which illustrates a portion ofthe fluid flow separation chamber 28, the petroleum absorbent member 70can be pivotally attached to a pivot member 71 that is in turn pivotallyattached to the chamber body 48. For instance, the pivot member 71 canbe a rod that extends through apertures in the separation chamber walls,and thus is rotatably in the walls. The petroleum absorbent member 70can be attached to the pivot member at its upper end, such that thepetroleum absorbent member 70 is configured to ride along the uppersurface of the fluid in the manner described above with respect to FIG.6A.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8B, the separation chamber 28 can furtherinclude at least one magnet 74 such as a plurality of magnets 74 thatare mounted to any suitable location of the chamber body 48 in at leastone or more up to all of the fluid flow channels 56, such as the base50, the outer wall 52, and one or more of the baffles 54. For example,the magnets 74 can be mounted to at least one of the inner surfaces ofthe base 50 and the outer wall 52. The chamber body 48 can be made of aferrous material, such that the at least one magnet 74 is magneticallyfastened to the chamber body 48. Because the at least one magnet 74 ispositioned in the flow of the fluid 22, the at least one magnet 74 canattract and attach, directly or indirectly, to ferrous particulatesdisposed in the fluid 22.

It has been discovered that, particularly in a floating roof storagetank, as the roof 24 translates up and down, the corresponding sealsbear against the inner surface of the tank 26. Continuous usage cancause the inner surface of the outer wall of the tank 26 to wear andscale, thereby generating particulates that sit atop the floating roof24. Consequently, rainwater can direct the particulates through thedrain 44 and ultimately into the separation chamber 28. As theparticulates flow through the separation chamber 28, they becomeattached to the magnets 74, and are prevented from flowing through theoutlet 31. In one example, the particulates can be rusted or otherwisecorroded steel from the inner surface of the side wall of the storagetank 26. The magnetic field of the magnets 74 attracts the particulatesto the magnets 74, such that the particulates attach to the magnets andare prevented from exiting the separation chamber 28 through the outlet31.

It has been further discovered that the inlet conduit 30 can besusceptible to corrosion, particularly when used in environments withhigh salt concentrations in the air, for instance, near an ocean. As theinner surface of the inlet conduit 30 corrodes, particles from the innersurface of the inlet conduit 30 are produced that are visuallydistinguishable from the particles from the inner surface of the outerwall of the tank. For instance, the particles from the inlet conduit 30are typically substantially larger than the particles from the outerwall of the tank. Further, while the scaling from the inner surface ofthe outer wall of the tank 26 can be observed through visual inspectionof the outer wall of the tank 26, corrosion of the inner surface of theinlet conduit 30, on the contrary, is not easily detected by visualinspection as the inlet conduit 30 resides in the interior of the tank26. The particles from the inlet conduit 30 travel with the fluid 22into the separation chamber 28 where they attach to the one or moremagnets 74.

Visual inspection of the particles attached to the magnet 74, forinstance based on size and/or shape, can indicate to the user where theparticulates originated. For instance, the size of plurality of theparticles from the inlet conduit 30 are typically greater than the sizeof plurality of the particles of the outer wall of the tank 26. Inparticular, the presence of a grouping of larger particles attached tothe one or more magnets 74 can indicate that structural integrity of theinlet conduit 30 is being compromised. Thus, the user can furtherinvestigate or determine that one or more segments of the inlet conduit30 should be repaired or replaced. Accordingly, a method can include thesteps of generating the particles from the outer wall of the tank andthe inlet conduit, attaching the particles to the at least one magnet74, and visually inspecting the particles to identify an identifyingcharacteristic that distinguishes the particles from the outer wall ofthe storage tank 26 and the particles from the inlet conduit 30. Theidentifying characteristic can be a size.

In order to facilitate the easy removal of the particulates from themagnets 74, the magnets 74 can be disposed in a physical barrier, suchas a film. It is desirable for the physical barrier to be usable in thefluid 22 that is received in the separation chamber 28. In one example,each of the magnets can be disposed in its own barrier. Alternatively,more than up of the magnets 74 can be disposed in a common barrier. Thefilm can be porous with respect to magnetic field, such that themagnetic field of the magnets 74 travels through the film and causes theparticles in the fluid 22 to attach to the magnets 74. To remove theparticulates from the magnets 74, the magnets 74 can be removed from thebarrier. The barrier can then be cleaned and reused. Alternatively, thebarrier can be disposable and discarded, and a new barrier can be placedabout the magnet 74. It can be said that the particulates attach to themagnets whether or not the magnets are disposed in the barrier. Thebarrier can, for instance, be made of any film material, such as rubber,for instance nitrile, neoprene, or latex. The film can define aninterior within which the magnets 74 are disposed. Alternatively, thefilm can be wrapped around the magnets 74.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 8B, the at least one magnet 74can be mounted onto an exterior surface of the fluid flow separationchamber 28 that is opposite the interior 53. The at least one magnet 74can be operatively aligned with a respective at least one of the fluidflow channels 56, such that the at least one magnet 74 directs amagnetic force into the at least one of the fluid flow channels 56sufficient to entrap ferrous particulates that are traveling with thefluid through the separation chamber 28. In one example, the at leastone magnet 74 can be disposed beneath the base 50, such that the base 50is disposed between the interior 53 of the fluid flow separation chamber28 and the magnets 74. The at least one magnet 74 can include aplurality of magnets that are each aligned with a respective one or moreup to all of the fluid flow channels. As ferrous particulates disposedin the fluid travels through the fluid flow separation chamber 38, theybecome attached to the base 50 at a location of the base 50 that isoperably aligned with the magnets 74. Thus, the magnets 74 areconfigured to entrap the ferrous particulates, either through directattachment (for instance when the magnets 74 are disposed in theinterior 53 of the separation chamber) or through indirect entrapment(for instance, when the magnets 74 are disposed in a barrier or aremounted to the exterior of the separation chamber 28). The magnets 74can be housed in any suitable containment apparatus 77 such as a drawer.The drawer can be moved between a closed position whereby the magnetsare operatively aligned with the fluid flow channels 56, and an openposition that allows the magnets 74 to be removed. Thus, when the fluidflow separation chamber 28 is disconnected from incoming fluid, themagnets 74 can be removed from the separation chamber 28, and the base50 can be cleaned of accumulated ferrous particulates.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the monitoring system 20 can include one ormore valves that are configured to move between an open position and aclosed position. When in the open position, the valves permit the fluid22 to flow therethrough, and when in the closed position, the valvesprevent the fluid 22 from flowing therethrough. For instance, themonitoring system 20 can include a manual valve 76 disposed upstream ofthe separation chamber 28 with respect to the direction of the fluidflow. For instance, the manual valve 76 can be disposed in the inletconduit 30 at a location between the petroleum storage tank 26 and theinlet 29 of the separation chamber 28. The manual valve 76 can include amanual actuator 78 that can be moved between a first position thatplaces the manual valve 76 in the open position, and a second positionthat places the manual valve 76 in the closed position. When the manualvalve 76 is in the open position, the manual valve 76 does not preventthe flow of the fluid 22 from the petroleum storage tank 26 to theseparation chamber 28. When the manual valve 76 is in the closedposition, the manual valve 76 prevents the fluid from flowing from thepetroleum storage tank 26 to the separation chamber 28. Thus, the manualvalve 76 is configured to prevent the fluid 22 from flowing from thepetroleum storage tank 26 to the separation chamber 28 even when thehydrocarbon sensor 34 does not detect an alarm condition.

The monitoring system 20 can further include at least one automaticvalve that is configured to move between the open position and theclosed position depending on the sensed condition of the hydrocarbonsensor 34. In particular, as described above, the hydrocarbon sensor 34is configured to output a signal in response to a detection of thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22. The signal can bereceived by a processor, or the hydrocarbon sensor 34 can include aprocessor, that receives the signal and, in response to the signal, sendcommand signals to one or more peripheral devices. Alternatively, theperipheral devices can include a processor that receives the signaldirectly from the hydrocarbon sensor 34 and, in response to the signal,activates an alarm condition. The peripheral devices can include the atleast one automatic valve. The at least one automatic valve can be inthe open position when the hydrocarbon sensor 34 does not detect thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22. When the hydrocarbonsensor 34 outputs the signal in response to a detection of the thresholdamount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the at least one automatic valvein response moves from the open position to the closed position. Whenthe hydrocarbon sensor 34 does not detect the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the at least one automatic valve canoperate in the open position. Thus, the at least one automatic valve canbe referred to as a normally open valve.

The at least one automatic valve can include an automatic inlet valve 80that can be disposed in the inlet conduit 30. The inlet valve 80 can bedisposed between the inlet 29 of the separation chamber 28 and themanual valve 76. Alternatively, the manual valve 76 can be disposedbetween the automatic inlet valve 80 and the inlet 29 of the separationchamber 28. It should be appreciated that the second end of the inletconduit 30 can be defined by either the manual valve 76 or the inletvalve 80. Alternatively, both the manual valve 76 and the inlet valve 80can be disposed between the first and second ends of the inlet conduit30. During operation, when the hydrocarbon sensor 34 does not detect thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the automatic inletvalve 80 does not prevent the fluid 22 from flowing from the floatingroof 24 to the separation chamber 28. Accordingly, when both the manualvalve 76 and the automatic inlet valve 80 are in the open position, thefluid 22 is able to flow from the floating roof 24 through the inletconduit 30 and into the separation chamber 28. When either of the manualvalve 76 and the automatic inlet valve 80 is in the closed position, thefluid 22 upstream of the closed one of the manual valve 76 and theautomatic inlet valve 80 is prevented from flowing to the separationchamber 28. The fluid 22 upstream of the closed one of the manual valve76 includes the fluid 22 disposed on the floating roof 24 and in theinlet conduit 30 at a location of the inlet conduit 30 that is upstreamof the closed one of the manual valve and the automatic inlet valve 80.

It is recognized that when the threshold amount of hydrocarbons ispresent in the fluid 22 and the automatic inlet valve 80 is thereforemoved to the closed position, the fluid 22 in the separation chamber 28may contain hydrocarbons in a quantity such that it is undesirable todeliver the fluid 22 into the environment. Accordingly, the outletconduit 32 can include a region 82 that is sized and configured toretain the fluid 22 disposed in the separation chamber 28 after one orboth of the manual valve 76 and the automatic inlet valve 80 has beenmoved to the closed position. In particular, the region 82 can define aP-trap 83. For instance, the region 82 can extend down and then up so asto define a substantial U-shape. The volume of the region 82 of theoutlet conduit 32 can be at least equal to the volume of the separationchamber 28. For instance, the volume of the region 82 of the outletconduit can be at least equal to the volume of the separation chamber 28in addition to the length of the inlet conduit 30 that is disposeddownstream of one or both of the valves 76 and 80. Accordingly, once thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons is sensed in the fluid 22, the fluid 22that is disposed upstream from the sensed fluid is prevented fromflowing into the ambient environment. Further, the outlet conduit 32 candefine a drain 84 in the region 82 that can be opened so as to directthe fluid 22 disposed in the region through a drainage tube and into anysuitable containment apparatus where the fluid 22 can be analyzed, andthe hydrocarbons can be removed prior to delivering the fluid 22 to theambient environment. Thus, the hydrocarbon laden fluid 22 in theseparation chamber 28 can be safely removed without delivering thehydrocarbon into the ambient environment.

Alternatively or additionally, referring now to FIGS. 9-10, the at leastone automatic valve can include an automatic outlet valve 86 that can bedisposed in the outlet conduit 32. The first end of the outlet conduit32 can be defined by the outlet valve 86. Alternatively, the outletvalve 86 can be disposed between the first and second ends of the outletconduit 32. During operation, when the hydrocarbon sensor 34 does notdetect the threshold amount of hydrocarbon in the fluid 22, theautomatic outlet valve 86 is in the open position, and thus does notprevent the fluid 22 from flowing from the separation chamber 28 out thesecond end of the outlet conduit 32 and into the ambient environment.When the hydrocarbon sensor 34 detects the predetermined thresholdamount in the fluid 22, the automatic outlet valve 86 moves to theclosed position in response to the signal, and thus prevents the fluid22 disposed in the separation chamber 28 from flowing through the outletconduit 32 and into the ambient environment.

Further, referring now to FIG. 10, the monitoring system 20 can furtherinclude an outlet drain 88 that is configured to drain the fluidcaptured between the closed outlet valve 86 and the closed manual valve76 or automatic inlet valve 80. The outlet drain 88 can be disposedbetween the outlet valve 86 and the downstream-most one of the manualvalve 76 and the automatic inlet valve 80. In one example, the outletdrain 88 can be disposed between the outlet 31 of the separation chamber28 and the outlet valve 86. Alternatively, the outlet drain 88 can bedefined by the outlet valve 86. The outlet drain 88 is configured to beopened after the outlet valve 86 has been closed, so as to direct thefluid 22 disposed between the inlet valve 80 and the outlet valve 86into any suitable containment apparatus where the fluid 22 can beanalyzed, and the hydrocarbons can be removed prior to delivering thefluid 22 to the ambient environment. Thus, the hydrocarbon laden fluid22 in the separation chamber 28 can be safely removed without deliveringthe hydrocarbon into the ambient environment. The base 50 can be slopeddownward along a direction from the inlet 29 toward the outlet drain 88,so as to assist in directing the flow of fluid 22 from the inlet 29toward the outlet drain 88. In one example, the automatic outlet valve86 can prevent fluid from flowing from the outlet 31 to the outletconduit 32.

It is appreciated that it is desirable to ensure that once the valve orvales are closed in response to the sensed threshold amount ofhydrocarbons, the closed valve or valves do not reopen while petroleumremains present. Accordingly, in one example, it can be desirable toensure that a quantity of fluid 22 is disposed in the separation chamber28. So long as fluid 22 is disposed within the chamber, the sensor willdetect the presence of the threshold amount of hydrocarbons whenpresent. If, on the other hand, fluid 22 is entirely removed from theseparation chamber 28, the sensor 22 would not detect hydrocarbons, andthus would cause the inlet and outlet valves to open, even though acondition exists that is allowing hydrocarbons to enter the fluid 22.Accordingly, it may be desirable to space the outlet drain 88 above thebase of the separation chamber 28. Alternatively, the region 82 of theoutlet conduit 32 can be located slightly above the outlet 88 of theseparation chamber 28. Alternatively still, the fluid 22 can be removedin its entirety from the separation chamber 28, and the monitoringsystem 20 can operate such that the closed valve or valves are notallowed to open until a user causes them to open. As a result, thesystem will not allow hydrocarbon-laden fluid to enter and potentiallyexit the separation chamber 28 unless a user manually inspects themonitoring system 20.

Referring again to FIG. 9, it is recognized that when the thresholdamount of hydrocarbons is sensed in the fluid 22 and the automatic inletvalve 80 is moved to the closed position, a substantial volume of fluid22 may remain on the floating roof 24, and the volume of fluid 22 cancontinue to accumulate during periods of rain. Accordingly, in order toremove the fluid 22 from the petroleum storage tank 26 after thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons is sensed in the fluid 22, themonitoring system 20 can include a bypass valve 90 in the inlet conduit30, and a bypass conduit 92 that extends from the inlet conduit 30. Thebypass valve 90 can be moved between an open position and a closedposition. When the bypass valve 90 is in the closed position, the bypassvalve 90 prevents the fluid 22 from flowing from the inlet conduit 30 tothe bypass conduit 92. When the bypass valve 90 is in the open position,the bypass valve 90 allows the fluid 22 to flow from the inlet conduit30 to the bypass conduit 92. In one example, when the bypass valve 90 isin the open position, the bypass valve can cause the fluid 22 to flowfrom the inlet conduit to the bypass conduit 92. The bypass conduit 92can direct the fluid 22 into any suitable containment apparatus thatallows the fluid 22 to drain from the floating roof 24 of the storagetank.

The bypass valve 90 can be disposed upstream of the automatic inletvalve 80. The bypass valve 90 can further be positioned upstream of themanual valve 76. Similarly, the bypass conduit 92 can be disposedupstream of the automatic inlet valve 80. The bypass conduit 92 canfurther be positioned upstream of the manual valve 76. The bypassconduit 92 can extend from the inlet conduit 30 to the containmentapparatus that is configured to receive the fluid 22 from the storagetank, thereby allowing the fluid 22 to drain from the floating roof 24.During operation, the bypass valve 90 is in the closed position whilethe hydrocarbon sensor 34 does not detect the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid at the threshold amount. When the hydrocarbonsensor 34 detects the threshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22,the bypass valve 90 can be moved from the closed position to the openposition. For instance, the bypass valve 90 can be moved from the closedposition to the open position by a user. Alternatively, the bypass valve90 can be manually moved from the closed position to the open positionupon generation of the signal from the hydrocarbon sensor 34 that thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons has been detected in the fluid 22.Thus, the bypass valve 90 can be included in the peripheral devices thatare configured to automatically actuate in response to the detection ofthe threshold amount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22. Because the inletvalve 80 is in the closed position when the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons has been detected in the fluid 22, the fluid 22 disposedupstream of the bypass valve 90 flows through the bypass conduit 92. Thefluid 22 can be analyzed at the containment apparatus, and anyhydrocarbons disposed in the fluid 22 can be removed from the fluid 22,such that the fluid 22 can then be released into the ambientenvironment.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11C, and as described above, the monitoringsystem 20 is configured to detect the presence of the selected group ofhydrocarbons in a fluid 22 to be discharged from any desirable locationof an oil handling facility 21. The oil handling facility 21 can be inthe form of at least one of a petroleum storage facility 23, an oilprocessing facility 25, such as a refinery 37, and an oil miningfacility 33 that includes one or more oil wells 35. Oil handlingfacilities can include containment areas 47, such as dikes 49, that areconfigured to contain fluids 22 such as storm water run off that may becontaminated with hydrocarbons, and thus not suitable to be introducedinto the ambient environment. Such containment areas are typically linedwith an impervious barrier to prevent the seepage of the containedfluids into the earth. It is desired to discharge the fluids from thecontainment area to a location outside the oil handling facility, wherethey are often returned to the earth. However, it is desired to ensurethat the fluids being discharged do not contain environmentally harmfullevels of hydrocarbons. Thus, the location of the oil handling facilitycan be configured as a containment area. The containment area 47 cansurround individual oil handling apparatus, such as individual petroleumstorage tanks 26 or individual oil wells 35. Alternatively, thecontainment area can surround a plurality of oil handling apparatus,such as a plurality of petroleum storage tanks 26 or a plurality of oilwells 35.

The monitoring system 20 can include the oil handling facility,including one or more of the petroleum storage facility 23, includingthe petroleum storage tank, the oil processing facility 25, and the oilmining facility 33. The monitoring system can further include the fluidflow separation chamber 28, the first or an inlet conduit 30 thatextends from the containment area 47 of the oil handling facility to aninlet 29 (see FIG. 5A, 13A, 14A, and 15A) of the fluid flow separationchamber 28. For instance, the inlet conduit 30 can be in fluidcommunication with a drain that extends through the dike 49 and into thecontainment area 47, such that fluid disposed in the containment area 47can flow into the inlet conduit 30. The drain can be a side drain thatextends through the side wall of the dike 49. For instance, the sidedrain can be located at a lower end of the side wall of the dike 49.Alternatively, the drain can be a bottom drain that causes fluidaccumulated in the containment area 47 to flow through the bottom drainand into the inlet conduit 30. As discussed above, the fluid disposed inthe containment area 47 can be storm water run off from the variousapparatus of the oil handling facility that is surrounded by the dike49. The monitoring system 20 can include a pump as desired to inducepressure that drives the fluid to flow from the containment area 47 intothe inlet conduit 30. The inlet conduit 30 is configured to deliver thefluid 22 that is discharged from the containment area 47 to the fluidflow separation chamber 28, as described above, and into the ambientenvironment when the sensor does not detect the threshold presence ofpetroleum in the fluid.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A-B, it is recognized that oil handlingfacilities can often include a storm water run off retention pond 61.The storm water run off retention pond 61 is positioned to receive runoff from various apparatus of the oil handling facility 10. Forinstance, when the retention pond 61 is disposed in the containment area47, the run off can flow from the oil handling facility into theretention pond in the containment area 47, for instance undergravitational forces. In this regard, the retention pond 61 can bedisposed at a sufficiently low elevation such that run off is directedinto the retention pond 61 under gravitational forces. It is recognizedthat retention ponds 61 can exist outside the containment area 47, solong as they are sufficiently sealed to prevent the flow of the fluidcontained in the retention pond 61 from traveling into the ambientenvironment. Thus, whether the retention pond 61 is disposed inside orout of the containment area 47, the retention pond 61 can be sealed fromthe soil to prevent potentially contaminated run off from entering thegroundwater. The monitoring system 20 can further include the fluid flowseparation chamber 28, the first or an inlet conduit 30 that extendsfrom the retention pond 61 of the oil handling facility to the inlet 29(see FIGS. 5A, 13A, 14A, and 15A) of the fluid flow separation chamber28. For instance, the inlet conduit 30 can be in fluid communicationwith a drain that is in fluid communication with the retention pond 61,such that fluid disposed in the retention pond 61 can flow into theinlet conduit 30. As discussed above, the fluid disposed in theretention pond 61 can be storm water run off from the various apparatusof the oil handling facility. Thus, the location of the oil handlingfacility can be configured as the retention pond 61. The inlet conduit30 is configured to deliver the fluid 22 that is discharged from thecontainment area 47 to the fluid flow separation chamber 28, asdescribed above.

As illustrated in FIG. 12A in particular, the fluid flow separationchamber 28 can be disposed at a lower elevation than the drain of theretention pond 61. Accordingly, fluid in the retention pond 61 can flowfrom the retention pond 61 through the drain and into the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 under gravitational forces. In accordance withthis embodiment, the drain can be disposed at an upper end of theretention pond 61. As a result, the drain is positioned such that thefluid level in the retention pond 61 is unlikely to reside above thedrain. When the fluid level in the retention pond 61 rises to the levelof the drain, fluid can cascade through the drain and flow through theinlet conduit 30 and into and into the fluid flow separation chamber 28under gravitational forces. A portion up to all of the inlet conduit 30can extend along the ground, or can be buried underground. Alternativelyor additionally, a pump can be induce a pressure that forces the fluidin the retention pond 61 to flow into the inlet conduit 30 and into thefluid flow separation chamber 28. The pump can be disposed in the inletconduit 30 or in the retention pond 61. It may be desirable, forinstance, to empty the retention pond 61. Thus, the pump can draw thefluid from an input conduit that has a free end proximate to the base ofthe retention pond 61. Further, it may be desirable to operate the pumpduring normal operation of the monitoring system 20. Alternatively oradditionally still, a fluid flow regulator can limit the volumetric flowrate of the fluid that travels from the retention pond 61 to the fluidflow separation chamber 28.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, the drain of the retentionpond 61 can be a bottom drain, and thus disposed at the bottom of theretention pond 61. As a result, the drain is positioned such that asfluid 22 accumulates within the retention pond 61, the fluid flowsthrough the bottom drain. It is envisioned that the fluid 22 can rise toa level above the drain in some circumstances. For instance, storm waterrun off can accumulate in the retention pond 61 at a rate faster thanthe rate at which storm water flows through the monitoring system 20.Thus, the fluid 22 in the retention pond 61 provides a fluid pressurethat urges the fluid to flow out the drain, through the inlet conduit30, and into the fluid flow separation chamber 28 as described above. Itis understood that it may be desirable to regulate the flow of fluid toprevent the fluid pressure from causing the fluid 22 to flow atundesirably high volumetric flow rates into the fluid flow separationchamber. For instance, the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can bepositioned at a higher elevation than that of the drain. In one example,the fluid flow separation chamber 28 can be positioned at a higherelevation than that of the retention pond 61. Accordingly, gravitationalforces acting on the fluid 22 in the retention pond 61 can createpressure in the fluid 22 that causes the fluid 22 to travel through theinlet conduit 30 and through the fluid flow separation chamber 28.Alternatively or additionally, a pump can be disposed in the inletconduit 30 or in the retention pond 61 that induces a pressure forcingthe fluid in the retention pond 61 to flow into the inlet conduit 30 andinto the fluid flow separation chamber 28. It may be desirable, forinstance, to empty the retention pond 61. The pump can thereby draw thefluid from an input conduit that has a free end proximate to the base ofthe retention pond 61. Further, it may be desirable to operate the pumpduring normal operation of the monitoring system 20. Alternatively oradditionally still, a fluid flow regulator can limit the volumetric flowrate of the fluid that travels from the retention pond 61 to the fluidflow separation chamber 28. It should be appreciated that one or both ofthe pump and the fluid flow regulator can also be present in themonitoring system 20 when the monitoring system 20 drains fluid from theroof of the storage tank in the manner described above.

Referring to FIGS. 2-12B in general, it should be appreciated that amethod can be provided for assembling the monitoring system 20. Themethod can include the step of installing the first or automatic inletvalve 80 in the first or inlet conduit 30 that extends between the oilhandling facility and a location external of the oil handling facility.In one example, the first or inlet conduit 30 can extend between thedrain 44 in the floating roof 24 and a location external of the storagetank 26. In another example, the first or inlet conduit 30 can extendbetween a containment area and a location external of the containmentarea. In still another example, the first or inlet conduit 30 can extendbetween a fluid retention pond and a location remote from the fluidretention pond. As described above, the inlet valve 80 is configured toselectively permit and prevent fluid from flowing through the firstconduit past the valve 80. The method can further include the step ofattaching the inlet conduit 30 to the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28. The method can further include the step ofplacing the hydrocarbon sensor 34 in operative communication with theinterior 53 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28 at a locationproximate to the outlet 31, such that the sensor 34 is configured tosense a presence of hydrocarbons at the location proximate to the outlet31. For instance, the hydrocarbon sensor 34 can be aimed so as to detecthydrocarbons in the form of a sheen on the top surface of the fluid.

The method can further include the step of installing the second orautomatic outlet valve 86 in the second or outlet conduit 32 thatextends out from the outlet 31 of the separation chamber 28. Theautomatic outlet valve 86 is configured to selectively permit andprevent the fluid 22 from flowing through the outlet conduit 32 past theoutlet valve 86. The method can further include the step of installing afeedback mechanism that is configured to cause the inlet valve 80 toclose in response to sensed petroleum at the sensor 34. The feedbackmechanism can further be configured to cause the outlet valve 86 toclose in response to sensed petroleum at the sensor 34. The feedbackmechanism can be further configured to activate at least one of theaudio alarm 62, the visual alarm 64, and the remote alarm signal 66. Thefeedback mechanism can be in the form of a controller or other likeapparatus that receives an indication from the sensor that the presenceof hydrocarbons has been detected.

The method can further include the step of placing the absorbent media68 in at least one of the fluid flow channels 56 of the separationchamber 28. The method can further include the step of placing aplurality of the absorbent media 68 in a corresponding plurality up toall of the fluid flow channels 56 of the separation chamber 28. Forinstance, the method can include the step of encasing the absorbentmedia 68 in the water permeable cage 72. The method can further includethe step of installing the P-trap in the outlet conduit 32 at a locationdownstream of the outlet 31 of the separation chamber 28 with respect tothe fluid flow. The method can further include the step of attaching adrainage tube to the P-trap. The method can further include the step ofmounting the at least one magnet 74 to the separation chamber 28 at alocation in at least one of the fluid flow channels 56. The method canfurther include the step of attaching the bypass conduit 92 to the inletconduit 30 at a location upstream of the inlet valve 80 with respect tofluid flow, so as to selectively direct the fluid 22 to flow from theinlet conduit 30 to the bypass conduit 92 when the inlet valve 80 is inthe closed position.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-15B generally, it should beappreciated that a method can be provided for monitoring for a presenceof hydrocarbons in the fluid 22 drained from a location of an oilhandling facility. The method can include the step of directing thefluid 22 from the location of an oil handling facility and into thefluid flow separation chamber 28. In one example, the location of theoil handling facility is a storage tank 26, and in particular thefloating roof 24. Thus, the directing step can include the step ofdirecting the fluid from the floating roof 24 through the drain 44 andinto the fluid flow separation chamber 28, for instance through theinlet 29. In another example, the location of the oil handling facilityis a containment area, and the directing step can include the step ofdirecting the fluid from the containment area, through the dike, andinto the fluid flow separation chamber 28, for instance through theinlet 29. In still another example, the location of the oil handlingfacility is a retention pond, and the directing step can include thestep of directing the fluid from the retention pond under gravitationalforces or fluid pressure from fluid pressure in the pond, and into thefluid flow separation chamber 28, for instance through the inlet 29. Themethod can further include the step of causing the fluid 22 to flow fromthe inlet 29 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28 to the outlet 31 ofthe fluid flow separation chamber 28. The method can further include thestep of sensing the fluid 22 proximate to the outlet 31 of the fluidflow separation chamber for the presence of hydrocarbons. When thesensing step detects the presence of a threshold amount of hydrocarbonsin the fluid 22, the method can further include the step of closing theinlet valve 80 at a location between the roof 24 and the outlet 31 ofthe fluid flow separation chamber 28, thereby preventing further flow ofthe fluid 22 from the oil handling facility to the outlet 31 of thefluid flow separation chamber 28.

During the directing step, the fluid 22 can flow from the location ofthe oil handling facility to the fluid flow separation chamber 28 at afirst velocity, and during the causing step, the fluid 22 can flowthrough the fluid flow separation chamber 28 at a second velocity lessthan the first velocity. For instance, the method can further includethe step of, in the fluid flow separation chamber 28, converting aturbulent flow of the fluid 22 entering the inlet 29 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 to a laminar flow at the outlet 31 of the fluidflow separation chamber 28. Therefore, the method can further includethe step of, in the fluid flow separation chamber 28, causing a quantityof hydrocarbons present in the fluid 22 to rise to an upper surface ofthe fluid 22 disposed in the fluid flow separation chamber 28, forinstance as a sheen. The causing step can further include the step ofdirecting the fluid 22 sequentially through the plurality of channels 56in respective opposite directions. The fluid 22 in the fluid flowseparation chamber 28 can extend from the base 40 of the separationchamber 28 to an upper surface of the fluid 22 along a verticaldirection, and the opposite directions are perpendicular to the verticaldirection.

The causing step can include the step of causing the fluid 22 to flowfrom the inlet 29 in the fluid flow separation chamber 28 through afirst one of the fluid flow channels 56, such as an upstream-most one ofthe fluid flow channels 56, and through a second one of the fluid flowchannels 56, such as a downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels56, to the outlet 31 of the fluid flow chamber 28. The causing stepfurther can further include the step of causing the fluid to travel fromthe first one of the fluid flow channels 56 to the second one of thefluid flow channels 56. The causing step can further include causing thefluid travel within a fluid flow channel 56 to be restricted by aflow-restricting wall 55 disposed in the fluid flow channel 56. When thesensing step detects the presence of the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the method can further include the step ofactivating an alarm state indicating the presence of the thresholdamount of hydrocarbons in the fluid 22. For instance, the activatingstep can include at least one of activating the audio alarm 62,activating the visual alarm 64, and sending an alarm signal to a remotelocation.

When the sensing step detects the presence of the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the method can include the step of closingthe inlet valve 80 at a location upstream of the outlet 31 of the fluidflow separation chamber 28 with respect to the direction of fluid flow,thereby preventing further flow of the fluid 22 from the floating roof24 to the outlet 31 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. Forinstance, the method can include the step of closing the inlet valve 80at a location upstream of the inlet 29 of the fluid flow separationchamber 28 with respect to the direction of fluid flow, therebypreventing further flow of the fluid 22 from the floating roof 24 to theinlet 29 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. Further, when thesensing step detects the presence of the threshold amount ofhydrocarbons in the fluid 22, the method can include the step of closingthe outlet valve 86 at a location downstream of the outlet 31 of thefluid flow separation chamber 28 with respect to the direction of fluidflow, thereby preventing further flow of the fluid 22 from the locationof the oil handling facility to the outlet 31 of the fluid flowseparation chamber 28.

The method can further include the step of directing the fluid 22 fromthe outlet 31 of the separation chamber through the P-trap. The methodcan further include the step of causing a volume of the fluid 22 to flowinto the P-trap that is at least equal to a volume of the fluid 22disposed between the inlet valve 80 and the P-trap when the inlet valve80 is closed. The method can further include the step of draining thefluid from the P-trap after the outlet valve 86 has been closed. Themethod can further include the step of directing the fluid 22 to thebypass conduit 92 at a location upstream of the inlet valve 80 once theinlet valve 80 has been closed.

The causing step can include the step of causing the fluid 22 to flowthrough the absorbent media in the separation chamber 28 at a locationupstream from the sensor 34. The causing step can further include thestep of causing the fluid 22 to flow over the at least one magnet 74that is configured to attach to ferrous particulates from the stormwater-based fluid 22 in the separator chamber 28.

Further, a method can be provided for installing the monitoring system20. The method can include the steps of installing the first orautomatic valve 80 in the first or inlet conduit 30. The inlet conduit30 can extend from a drain that is open to an interior of thecontainment area 47 that is contained by a dike. The drain can extendthrough the dike, or can extend over or under the dike. Alternatively,the inlet conduit 30 can extend from a drain of the retention pond 61.The valve 80 can be configured to selectively permit and prevent fluidfrom flowing through the first conduit past 30 the valve 80. The methodcan further include the step of attaching the first conduit 30 to theinlet 29 of the fluid flow separation chamber 28. The method can furtherinclude the step of placing the hydrocarbon sensor 34 in operativecommunication with the interior 53 of the fluid flow separation chamber28 at a location proximate to the outlet 31, such that the sensor 34 isconfigured to sense a presence of hydrocarbons at the location proximateto the outlet 31. As described above, the sensor 34 is configured tosense the presence of hydrocarbons that are among a group ofhydrocarbons that includes, but is not necessarily limited to,diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineraloil, and crude oil. For instance, the hydrocarbon sensor 34 can be aimedso as to detect hydrocarbons in the form of a sheen on the top surfaceof the fluid.

The method can further include the step of installing the second orautomatic outlet valve 86 in the second or outlet conduit 32 thatextends out from the outlet 31 of the separation chamber 28. The secondvalve 86 is configured to selectively permit and prevent fluid fromflowing through the second conduit 32 past the second valve 86, asdescribed above. The method can further include the step of installing afeedback mechanism that is configured to cause the inlet valve 80 toclose in response to sensed petroleum at the sensor 34. The feedbackmechanism can further be configured to cause the outlet valve 86 toclose in response to sensed petroleum at the sensor 34. The feedbackmechanism can be further configured to activate at least one of theaudio alarm 62, the visual alarm 64, and the remote alarm signal 66. Thefeedback mechanism can be in the form of a controller or other likeapparatus that receives an indication from the sensor that the presenceof hydrocarbons has been detected.

The method can further include the step of placing the absorbent media68 in at least one of the fluid flow channels 56 of the separationchamber 28. For instance, the method can include the step of encasingthe absorbent media 68 in the water permeable cage 72. The method canfurther include the step of installing the P-trap in the outlet conduit32 at a location downstream of the outlet 31 of the separation chamber28 with respect to the fluid flow. The method can further include thestep of attaching a drainage tube to the P-trap. The method can furtherinclude the step of mounting the at least one magnet 74 to theseparation chamber 28 at a location in at least one of the fluid flowchannels 56. The method can further include the step of attaching thebypass conduit 92 to the inlet conduit 30 at a location upstream of theinlet valve 80 with respect to fluid flow, so as to selectively directthe fluid 22 to flow from the inlet conduit 30 to the bypass conduit 92when the inlet valve 80 is in the closed position.

In another example, the oil handling facility can have a plurality ofpumps and associated floats that cause the pumps to operate when thefloats have reached a predetermined level, indicative of a potentialflood condition. Operation of the pump can drain the accumulated fluid.Certain situations that can cause the floats to raise to thepredetermined level include the presence of rainwater or runoff water.Accordingly, the separation chamber 28 can be attached to the outlet ofthe pump so as to allow the drainage of the liquid when the thresholdamount of hydrocarbons is detected, but prevent the drainage when thethreshold amount of hydrocarbons is not detected.

The embodiments described in connection with the illustrated embodimentshave been presented by way of illustration, and the present invention istherefore not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments.Furthermore, the structure and features of each the embodimentsdescribed above can be applied to the other embodiments describedherein. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will realize that theinvention is intended to encompass all modifications and alternativearrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention, asset forth by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A fluid flow separation chamber configured to causepetroleum in a fluid to rise to an upper surface of the fluid, the fluidflow separation chamber comprising: a chamber body having a base, and anouter wall that extends up from the base; an inlet that extends throughthe body, wherein the fluid flow separation chamber is configured toreceive the fluid through the inlet; an outlet that extends through thebody at a location downstream of the inlet with respect to a directionof fluid flow through the fluid flow separation chamber, wherein thefluid flow separation chamber is configured to expel the fluid throughthe outlet; a plurality of baffles that extend up from the base, suchthat adjacent ones of the baffles define respective fluid flow channelsthat define a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet; and aflow-restricting wall that extends into one of the fluid flow channelsso as to obstruct a first portion of the fluid flow through the one ofthe fluid flow channels, while permitting a second portion of the fluidflow to pass through the one of the fluid flow channels to the outlet.2. The fluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of baffles has a first end and a second end, and eachof the baffles extends from the outer wall at its first end, and definea respective gap at its second end opposite the first end, such that thegaps are aligned with each other along a horizontal plane.
 3. The fluidflow separation chamber as recited in claim 2, wherein the gaps arespaced from each other along a longitudinal direction that defines thehorizontal plane, and are further offset from each other with respect toa lateral direction that defines the horizontal plane.
 4. The fluid flowseparation chamber as recited in claim 2, wherein the plurality ofbaffles comprises: a first group of at least one baffle that eachextends from its respective first end to its respective second end in afirst direction, whereby the first end of each of the first group of atleast one baffle extends from the outer wall, and the second end of eachof the first group is spaced from the one outer wall; and a second groupof at least one baffle that each extends from its respective first endto its respective second end in a second direction opposite the firstdirection, whereby the first end of each of the second group of at leastone baffle extends from the outer wall, and the second end of each ofthe second group is spaced from the outer wall.
 5. The fluid flowseparation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the flow-restrictingwall extends into a downstream-most one of the fluid flow channels. 6.The fluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 5, wherein thefluid flow separation chamber is configured to support a hydrocarbonsensor at a sensor location, and the flow-restricting wall is spacedbetween the sensor location and the outlet with respect to the directionof fluid flow.
 7. The fluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim6, wherein the fluid flow separation chamber includes the hydrocarbonsensor, wherein the hydrocarbon sensor is configured to output a signalin response to a detection of a threshold amount of hydrocarbons of agroup of hydrocarbons present in a fluid that travels through the fluidflow separation chamber along a direction from the inlet to the outlet,wherein the group of hydrocarbons includes diesel/fuel oil, lube oil,motor oil, hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil, and crude oil.
 8. Thefluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 7, wherein the fluidflow separation chamber is supported at the sensor location.
 9. Thefluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein theflow-restricting wall has a cross-sectional area in a first verticalplane, the one of the fluid flow channels into which theflow-restricting wall extends has a cross-sectional area in a secondvertical plane that is parallel to the first vertical plane, and thecross-sectional area of the one of the fluid flow channels is greaterthan the cross-sectional area of the flow-restricting wall.
 10. Thefluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein theflow-restricting wall defines a first end and a second end offset fromthe first end.
 11. The fluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim10, wherein the first end extends from one of (i) a respective bafflethat defines the one of the fluid flow channels into which theflow-restricting wall extends and (ii) the outer wall, and the secondend is a free end that is not attached to any baffle or the outer wall.12. The fluid flow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein theflow-restricting wall has a upstream-most surface that opposes thedirection of the fluid flow.
 13. The fluid flow separation chamber asrecited in claim 12, wherein the upstream-most surface is angularlyoffset from the direction of the fluid flow.
 14. The fluid flowseparation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the flow-restrictingwall has a width along a horizontal direction that is less than or equalto a width along the horizontal direction of the one of the fluid flowchannels into which the flow-restricting wall extends.
 15. The fluidflow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluid flowseparation chamber defines a gap between one of (i) a respective bafflethat defines the one of the fluid flow channel into which theflow-restricting wall extends and (ii) the outer wall, such that fluidis permitted to flow through the gap towards the outlet.
 16. The fluidflow separation chamber as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluid flowpath is a horizontally oriented serpentine fluid flow path.
 17. A methodof monitoring for a presence of hydrocarbons among group of hydrocarbonsin a fluid discharged from a location of an oil handling facility, thegroup of hydrocarbons including diesel/fuel oil, lube oil, motor oil,hydraulic oil, jet fuel, mineral oil, and crude oil, the methodcomprising the steps of: receiving a fluid from the location of the oilhandling facility in a fluid flow separation chamber; causing the fluidto flow from an inlet of the fluid flow separation chamber to an outletof the fluid flow separation chamber through one or more fluid flowchannels of the fluid flow separation chamber such that aflow-restricting wall that extends into one of the fluid flow channelsobstructs a first portion of the fluid flow through the one of the fluidflow channels, while permitting a second portion of the fluid flow topass through the one of the fluid flow channels to the outlet; andsensing the fluid proximate to the outlet of the fluid flow separationchamber for the presence of the hydrocarbons.
 18. The method as recitedin claim 17, wherein the sensing step comprises sensing a sheen on anupper surface of the fluid, and the threshold amount defines the sheen.19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein during the receivingstep, the fluid is received by the fluid flow separation chamber at afirst velocity, and during the causing step, the fluid flows through thefluid flow separation chamber at a second velocity less than the firstvelocity.
 20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the causingstep comprises, in the fluid flow separation chamber, causing a quantityof the hydrocarbons present in the fluid to rise to an upper surface ofthe fluid disposed in the fluid flow separation chamber.